We were so elated to celebrate Christmas and my hubby’s birthday with Mandy Harvey at Dazzle!
This was our third Christmas Concert and I am so very thankful to be able to go and have never had a problem with chemicals there (air fresheners and perfumes).
It was SO great to see Mandy and give her big hugs! I have missed her! She has really been busy after being on America’s Got Talent in 2017! As you probably know, she placed forth!
We are so very proud of her and are elated that she is able to live her dream of singing and a making a difference in this world with her message of love and perseverance!
I am SO excited to see my friend, Mandy Harvey on America’s Got Talent! I have been to several of her concerts and events through the Invisible Disabilities Association. She is AMAZING! Her voice gives me chills, with her incredible, unique tone.
I have been so blessed to spend time with her over the years, not only because of her voice, but because of who she is as a person. Mandy has a passion to encourage people to never give up, keep trying and believe in yourself.
She is simply has it all. She has a spectacular voice, story of perserverance, inspirational message, adorable personality and exquisit beauty.
Be sure to follow Mandy on #AGT on NBC throughout the Summer! #Vote4Mandy! Visit Mandy’s website: www.MandyHarveyMusic.com
I am so very proud of you, Mandy! You are going to take this world by storm!I love you, Miss Mandy!
About Mandy Harvey
Mandy lost her hearing due to a connective tissue disorder when she was 18. She was a music major, so this loss was devastating! Mandy wasn’t sure what to do next, but her father encouraged her to pursue her singing career anyway. Today, she works very hard every day to keep her voice in shape and in tune. Mandy has produced three CD’s and has performed for many prestigious venues.
Mandy Writes a Song for People Living with Illness, Pain and Injury
What’s more, Mandy and Pete Ohlin just released their new single, “Together!” This song was first debuted at the IDA Awards Gala and released to the public in 2017.
This ballad was created to bring awareness, encouragement and hope to millions who live with illness, pain and injury around the world, in honor of the Invisible Disabilities Association‘s program, Invisible No More!®. Nonetheless, “Together” inspires us all to be more empathetic and supportive with one another.
Download the single, “Together” Today! A portion of the proceeds go to IDA when you download it here!
Watch Mandy in Concert at the IDA Awards Gala, in national interviews and on America’s Got Talent on YouTube!
Mandy Finishes at Number Four on AGT
9/20/2017 Finale: Before hearing the results of the Finale, the contestants enjoyed sharing performances with celebrities. Marlee Matlin, Actress, introduced Mandy and Shania Twain who performed a moving duet of, “You’re Still the One.”
Later, the contestants were pared down from 10 to the Winner and Mandy placed forth. She was very gracious and grateful for the opportunity, experience and fans. Landing in third was Light Balance, second Angelica Hale and the 2017 AGT Winner was Darci Lynne Farmer. Congratulations to all the contestants who made it into the Finals! That is quite an honor!
Congratulations, Mandy! We are so proud of you!
9/19/2017 Finals Show: In Mandy’s pre-performance package, she shared the sorrow of losing her hearing and the day she decided to “get back up” and how she encourages others to keep fighting and never give up! After the film, Mandy shared a newer original song, “This Time.” Mandy choked back some tears in the beginning, after such an emotional film beforehand. Nevertheless, this easy going song wrapped up her passion to keep “moving on” and chase her dreams.
She WOWS the Audience and Judges
9/12/20172nd Semi-Finals Show:Mandy Harvey you were AMAZING! I just knew you were going to sing, “Release Me!” It was absolutely STUNNING! I am so thrilled that Simon gets it and he put it all into words so beautifully. It is obvious he loves your story and your incredible perseverance, but he made it a point that his comments were based solely on your voice and performance! Wow! That is exactly what you wanted to hear!
The world now knows what I have known for many years! Your voice is INCREDIBLE! You have that once in a lifetime sound! What’s more, people are learning about the beauty of feeling the music. You are changing hearts around the world and inspiring us all to be better people, with your message to never give up and to love others. You are a class act! #Vote4Mandy#AGT
Mandy Honors Her Fans With a Video
9/8/2017 Mandy’s Fan Video:Mandy Harvey published her video compilation of #Vote4Mandy fan posts and videos! Of course, when Mandy asked her fans to take pictures with #Vote4Mandy #AGT, I jumped on it! And so did my kids! Tee hee!
This is another reason why I love this girl so much! She is not just in this for herself. She is not only inspiring people to “Try,” she strives to share her journey and show her #gratefulness for her family, friends and fans!
Don’t forget to watch on America’s Got Talent on September 12th and #Vote4Mandy on #AGT! Let’s make sure she gets in the finals! Thank you for being YOU, Mandy! We are cheering you on, every step of the way!
9/7/2017 #Vote4Mandy Facebook Frame: Mandy Harvey Fans! Check out this super cool Facebook Frame I made that you can add to your profile photo! Simply click here to add this frame to your Facebook profile photo! Don’t worry, the copyright will not appear on the actual frame! I’m so excited they are being used on Facebook! See below!
We are cheering for you every step of the way, Mandy Harvey! Love you! #VoteMandyHarvey#AGT
Mandy Harvey
Mandy Harvey
Mandy Harvey
Mark Atteberry, Author
Wayne and Sherri
Wayne and Sherri
Markian Macke
Cassandra Perkins, Behind the Mask Radio
Mandy Featured at a Block Party
9/27/2017 Outdoor Concert: We were so excited to see our friend, Mandy Harvey, at an outdoor concert! Wowee! What a fun block party with Mandy! I only made it through half her concert (I have MS and Late-Lyme Disease). I also had a major reaction to heat and air fresheners inside the building. Still, it was such a treat to see her again! I got to hear two of my favorites, “Cry Me a River” and her original, “Release Me!”
But don’t tell anyone … but we got to go backstage and get hugs! I have missed you so much, Mandy! More Details.
She Makes It Into the Quarter Finals
8/22/2017 Quarter Finals:Mandy has an unique, angelic voice that was born out of talent, perseverance and hard work. The performance of her original song, “Mara’s song” was ethereal, haunting and beautiful! There is no denying, she is gorgeous inside and out. And her inspirational message of hope encourages everyone to make a difference in someone else’s life. She has it all!
6/7/2017 AGT Audition: We are so proud of Mandy Harvey! Mandy made her debut on America’s Got Talent last night with her original song, “Try.” This song was inspired by Mandy’s struggle to start writing and singing again after losing her hearing. She was afraid. Nonetheless, with the encouragement of her parents and Eric Weihenmayer of No Barriers, Mandy decided to “Try.” And now she encourages others to “Try” despite their fears of failure.
Order TRY buttons from Mandy
Mandy’s beautiful voice, spirit and message to never give up came beaming right through the hearts of people around the world. The judges and audience were on their feet cheering for Mandy and Simon Cowell gave her the #goldenbuzzer! Simon had sworn he would not use his golden buzzer right away, but he knew Mandy was the one! He was so taken back by her amazing story, but he was most impressed by the incredible tone of her voice! As a result, she is #1 trending on YouTube with over 2,000,000 views and soaring!
Mandy’s Audition Goes Viral
I told you that you were going to take this world by storm with your gorgeous voice and beauty inside and out, Mandy Harvey! Your message to “Never Give Up!” is ringing loud and clear across the globe! I am so proud of you, my friend! You have over 9 million views and counting! I love you Mandy Girl!
Mandy Harvey’s America’s Got Talent Audition gets Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell
We were so excited to go to this Mandy Harvey Concert! We hadn’t seen her since last December. I have missed my sweet Mandy Girl! Wowee! What a fun block party with Mandy!
I only made it through half her concert (I have MS and Late-Lyme Disease). I also had a major reaction to heat and air fresheners inside the building.
But what a treat it was to see her again! I got to hear two of my favorites, “Cry Me a River” and her original, “Release Me!” And don’t tell anyone … but we got to go backstage and get hugs! I have missed you so much, Mandy!
Who is Mandy Harvey?
You have probably seen Mandy on America’s Got Talent! She auditioned with her original song, “Try” and got the Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell! When she returned to the LIVE Quarter Finals, she sang another original, “Mara’s Song.” She was voted into the Semi-Finals starting September 5th. We are so excited for you, Mandy!
Mandy lost her hearing in college while studying music. She was devastated! Her life was all about music and she watched her dream vanish! Her father encouraged her to try to sing without being able to hear. Mandy was able to sing through muscle memory to hit the note and of course, she could read music. She went on to work very hard daily to practice feeling the notes in her vocal cords, throat and head, she uses a piano tuner to keep her pitch and she feels the music from the band through her feet and body.
We are cheering for you, Mandy! The world is discovering what we have known for years. You are an incredible vocalist and songwriter with amazing perseverance and message for us all to never give up and “TRY!”
More About Mandy!
Watch lots of great videos of Mandy singing at the IDA Gala, America’s Got Talent, interviews and more: HERE! Download Mandy’s Music: HERE! Visit Mandy’s Website.
Thank you for the amazing day and for being a blessing in my life, Mandy!
Special Guests: Founder, President and CEO Wayne Connell with Invisible Disabilities Association and IDA Ambassador, Mandy Harvey. Mandy is an award winning singer, songwriter and motivational speaker who just happens to have an invisible disability. Mandy lost her residual hearing in 2006-2007 at age eighteen due to a neurological disorder.
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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.
Derek AmatoMandy Harvey
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.
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
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!
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!”
Derek and Mandy were guests on the Steve Harvey Show on 2/11/15
Our amazing friends,