Blind Musician Experiences Life in US Through Music
Reggae legend Bob Marley believed that music has the power to take away pain. For 17-year-old Syrian-born Dilan Dari, this is particularly true.
Dilan was born blind but says this disability has never stopped him from enjoying the beauty of music. "Music is my life. For as long as I can remember, I've been playing music," he says.
Music teacher Grace Morrison says Dilan's musical skill and understanding is impressive. “I feel like I've taught him nothing because he just came in with this talent”, she says, adding that his ability to hear music and play it straight away is something that can't be learned.
As well as being able to play Middle-Eastern instruments such as the baglama, Dilan can play drums, piano, flute, guitar, and violin.
Dilan's family moved from Syria to escape war and now live in San Diego, California.
He writes music about what he has experienced – from the war in Syria to the laughter of his family in sunny California.
Mizgin Dari, Dilan's mother, says she never treated her son any differently. "I never want him to feel different from his siblings," she says.
Stevie Wonder, a famous musician who is also blind, would probably think this is a good idea. He once said that he "never thought of being blind as a disadvantage."
