Strength In Affliction

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31053, 7 May 1966, Page 4

Strength In Affliction

Tomorrow—Comes the Song. By Cosette Jarman. Reed. 158 pp.

Even at the age of two, Christopher Jarman would be so moved by the beauty of certain chords on the piano that tears would stream down his face. He was clearly a child of most extraordinary musical talents. But when still a toddler, he was struck down by encephalitis, losing first his sight and muscular co-ordina-tion, and later his speech. It seemed that his talents would never bear fruit. The doctors said categorically that he would never walk or speak again. But by dint of much hard work, a great deal of enthusiasm and his mother’s persistent loving encouragement Christopher has fought his way back to normality in most spheres, and to excellence in some. It was largely his fascination with sound which helped

Christopher recover. His intense desire to make music revived deadened muscles. All his playthings were means to one end: music. He heard melody and rhythm in tin lids, marbles, running water, trees, bells, clocks, grass blades, and peas dropping into a basin. At three years old, still unable to speak, he composed his first piece of music. But for his joy in the world of sound he paid a high price in loneliness. Few people could ever enter his world, or begin to share it, no matter how great their interest and sympathy. Yet Christopher has found satisfaction wherever he has been able to take part in normal activities, and has made great strides in his composition, earning praise from Julius Katchen himself. This is a book which will certainly bring strength to the parents of other afflicted children and which will Interest many others.