Leslie Lemke and his amazing story Leslie Lemke

Leslie Lemke and his amazing story

Leslie Lemke (was born in January 31, in 1952) and is a blind American autistic savant who is most notable for his work as a musician. Leslie Lemke was born prematurely in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1952. At birth, he was diagnosed with glaucoma, cerebral palsy, and brain damage. Doctors were forced to remove his eyes. His birth mother gave him up for adoption, and May Lemke, a nurse, adopted him when he was six months old.

In a modest cottage on Lake Pewaukee where she lived with her husband, Joe, May loved and tended to Leslie like a little flower. She taught him how to swallow so he could eat and how to make sounds so he could communicate.

. One day, May tried to teach him how to walk. She just told him “Do a step” and he did it shaking his body.

May Lemke was trying a lot to help her son. One thing she thought that would do him good, was her idea to bring him a musical instrument. So, she bought a piano for him.

May knew that Leslie couldn’t talk or walk at the age of 16. It was a surprise for her and perhaps the most important thing for her, when she went to bed one night and could listen to the absolutely perfect music Leslie was playing. He was playing the piano!

How and why could Leslie suddenly play the piano is beyond explanation…

By Thomi Kordonouri