derek amato Archives - Sherri Connell

November 13 2015

Spreading Awareness During Invisible Disabilities Week

Sherri Awareness, In the Media, Making a Difference, Reaching Out to Others awareness, brain ideas, chronic illness and pain, derek amato, events, friends and family, IDA awards gala, invisible disabilities, invisible disabilities association, invisible disabilities week, mandy harvey, mrs. colorado, mrs. ohio, personal story, relationships, symposium

During the 2015 Invisible Disabilities Week, we provided 7 days of activities people from anywhere in the world could participate. What an amazing week of spreading awareness, education and support around the globe on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more!

So many amazing people shared their personal journeys, courageous hearts and thankfulness for people, places and things in their lives that give them strength to keep fighting.

Thank you all for sharing your stories, struggles and triumphs! And thank you to the amazing ID Week Team, Katie, Ali, Mandy, Cassandra, Nikki and Joni!

ID Week is sponsored by the Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA). IDA also hosted that week, the Brain IDEAS Symposium which included 9 doctors, practitioners and experts on the brain. That evening was topped off by the 2015 IDA Awards Gala where IDA honored 9 incredible individuals and organizations making a difference.

The attendees also enjoyed Featured Entertainer, Singer, Composer and Author, Derek Amato. Derek is one of only 30 known “Acquired Savants” in the world after a head injury!

They were also delighted by Special Guest Speaker and IDA Ambassador, Katie Maskey, Mrs. Ohio United States, as well as 2015 IDA Inspiration Award recipient and IDA Ambassador, Mandy Harvey. Mandy lost her hearing in college, but with much perseverance continued her passion for singing and is now an accomplished singer, songwriter and speaker.

Mrs Ohio and Mrs Colorado United States — Katie Maskey, Mrs. Ohio United States and Kimberly Reece, Mrs. Colorado United States

Although ID Week has passed, IDA continues their work throughout the year! Keep connected with IDA

Invisible Disabilities Association: www.InvisibleDisabilities.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/InvisibleDisabilities
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/InvDisabilities
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/InvisibleDisabilities
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/InvisibleDisability

PLEASE SUPPORT IDA. Proceeds from sales, fundraisers and donations help us to continue our vital work of bringing awareness, education and support around the world to millions living with debilitating illness, pain and injury, as well as loved ones, caregivers, co-workers, doctors and businesses. IDA’s outreach extends through our websites, books, pamphlets, articles, annual award nights, radio and television interviews, videos, special events, Disability.Gov blogs, programs, campaigns, the Invisible Disabilities Week, IDAC online community, social media and so much more!

See you next year! www.InvisibleDisabilitiesWeek.org

December 20 2014

Incredible New Single from Derek Amato Featuring Mandy Harvey

Sherri Thoughts for the Day all of me, deaf, derek amato, friends and family, hearing loss, Ingenious Minds, jazz, mandy harvey, music, pianist, savant, steve harvey, TBI, TEDx Talk, the script, traumatic brain injury, video, YouTube

Our amazing friends, Derek Amato and Mandy Harvey have just released an incredible new single, “The Script.” Download it today! This song gives me CHILLS!

Derek and Mandy both have stories that are no less than amazing and spectacular!

In 2006, Derek was tossing around a football a a get together with friends. He decide to catch the ball as he jumped into the backyard pool. Unfortunately, he was in the shallow end and got a serious concussion. After being examined and treated at the hospital, his mom took him to her house and he slept for days. Soon after, he went to visit a friend. He was sitting there talking and found himself drawn to his friend’s keyboard. Though he had tinkered around with the guitar and he loved music, he didn’t know how to play the piano. Finally, he couldn’t resist the pull, walked over and sat down. He placed his hands on they keys and began playing fluidly and beautifully for hours!

Somehow Derek’s brain injury unleashed a composer within, as the music just bursts from his being. Derek says the notes float across his vision all day long, so he eventually has to stop to play and let them out. There have been reports of others who have received head injuries who became various types of artists. However, he is the first known to have, “acquired musical savant syndrome.”

Along with Derek’s incredible new abilities, he also battles insomnia, along with some memory and cognitive dysfunctions.

Derek is the first one to tell you he has been given a gift and he is determined to use it to make a difference! Derek brings awareness to children and adults living with cancer, autism, mental illness, homelessness and people with disabilities. Derek is on the Executive Board of the Invisible Disabilities Association, a non-profit organization that encourages, educates and connects people and organizations touched by illness and pain.

Derek Amato on Ingenious Minds

Derek heard Mandy sing and was quite impressed with her amazing voice and style. Several years later, he felt compelled to get in touch with her. At that point, he learned Mandy’s story.

Mandy had a passion for singing and music at a young age. Though she began having trouble with hearing loss, she kept pursuing her dreams. She went to Colorado State University for music education, but while there, lost the rest of her hearing and was removed from the program.

This, of course, was devastating to Mandy! Nevertheless, her father encouraged her to continue her love for music and not give up on her dreams. She began training herself how to sing without her hearing. She does so through muscle memory and with the help of an app on her phone to help her find “middle c.” Mandy takes off her shoes and feels the rhythm of the music through the vibrations on the floor.

In addition to her new single release, “The Script,” Mandy also just released her third album, Download Mandy’s new album, “All of Me!”