REX: A Mother, Her Autistic Child, And The Music That Transformed Their Lives

The phone fell from her hand and crashed to the floor with a thud … so did her heart. The phone wasn’t hurt, but her heart? That was a different story. It was her first pregnancy, and the ultrasound had shown the presence of a suspicious mass in the brain of her unborn child; a gigantic, fluid-filled cyst. The fact that the cyst was benign and repairable was a temporary comfort to her, but shortly after the birth of her son and his first surgery, she received the second blow to her heart … he was blind. Her heart sank, and her hopes for her son’s future were crushed. The third blow was delivered only a short time later … he was autistic. How could it be that her innocent son should have to live with such horrible limitations in his life? He had done nothing to deserve this.

In the newly released book, REX: A Mother, Her Autistic Child, And The Music That Transformed Their Lives, Cathleen Lewis writes of the struggles and fears she and her son face while trying to accomplish even the most basic tasks of life. Suddenly, from the depths of his multiple challenges, there emerges a peculiar strength, an extraordinary gift … Rex has been given a rare and wonderful musical ability!

In reading Cathleen’s story of her great need and God’s great provisions, I saw faith and trust beautifully expressed. She summed it up well in this quote near the end of the book:

He [God] was telling me to look past my own mind, and just trust. Hear my voice in the music. Hear each note. Don’t worry about where it’s going. Just hear the sound and know that it’s beautiful … and know that I am God. Trust.

I’ve been encouraged by this true account told from a mother’s heart. If you’re interested in learning more about Rex’s story and his music,click the link and watch the 7.5 min video interview with Cathleen, the mother of this astounding child.

Keeping it real,