Stories don’t get much more inspirational than the saga of Paul Murray, a 21-year-old Scot who has not let Crohn’s Disease, four surgeries to remove a large brain tumor and a subsequent diagnosis of multiple sclerosis get in the way of his love for playing piano.
The University of Aberdeeen invited journalists to interview Murray today, and already his story is posted on several news sites in the United Kingdom.
Murray only realised his love for the piano at age 15, worked really hard, and won admission to the University of Aberdeen’s music department less than two years later.
Murray spent four months learning to walk and talk again following his surgery, and discovered that he would only be able to play with his left hand — something that the MS has limited, as well.
So he’s now busy composing instead, and is planning to get a Masters degree.
“My passion for classical music has helped me overcome so much and I hope to be able to bring this music to those who, like me, did not grow up with it,” says Murray.
“The thought that I would never play the piano again never crossed my mind, I was determined to carry on and play with what remaining ability I had,” he told the Daily Mail. “Just playing music is fantastic. It might sound strange to non-music players, but I get transported into another world when I play.
“I forget about all my problems when I play, it’s a fantastic way to escape.”
John Terauds