NCERT Class 9th: The Sound of Music : Part I - Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound without hearing it

This story is about a young prodigy of music, who has the disability of deafness. Evelyn Glennie's loss of hearing couldn't stop her from achieving various feat in a field in which one's oral and auditory prowess is vital. She was not born with this disability, it was gradual. Initially, she was reluctant to share it with her parents, but when her grades were falling down, she finally told them. 

It was a jolt to everyone including herself. Her parents were advised to send her to Special schools for the deaf and get her hearing aids. It was not in her nature to give up that easily. Her interest in music was immense. Through a chance incident in which she played a xylophone and a percussionist backing her up, she found a way to sense the drum beating, she could sense its vibrations. Her enhanced senses due to loss of one, aided her different body parts to grasp various notes. 

"I had learnt to open my mind and body to sounds and vibrations"

She received acclaim due to her sheer determination and hard work despite her disability. Further, she was selected in the Royal Academy of Music and also she miraculously scored one of the highest marks in the history of the academy. She gained mastery over a thousand instruments and became one of the most sought-after percussionists.

She is a gifted and keen learner, possessing the ability of lip-reading. Though she is Scottish, she learnt French and Japanese. Her sensory organs are exceptional, giving her upper hand in discerning vibrations. Quite deservingly, she has been commended for her impeccable skills. Now, being showered with love, she misses no chance to give it back to society. She performs in prisons and hospitals free of cost.

She also guides young musicians. Unarguably, she is an inspiring figure for other deaf children and makes a solid live example that a disability can't define one's life.