It's Sunday afternoon, and I just listened to "From the Top," a radio program on National Public Radio. I try to tune into the show every week because it features wonderful, classical musicians who are all the more exceptional because they are only 8 to 18 years old. I like the way the show's host, concert pianist Christopher O'Riley, interviews each performer, bringing out each player's individuality.

Today's program was particularly inspiring. Two of the performers, a violinist and a violist, spoke about their learning disabilities. They struggled in school and had difficulties visually processing the music but had become exceptional musicians nonetheless.

The show opened with a performance by 17-year-old Gordon Neidinger, a mandolin player who had a fascinating story to tell. When Hurricane Ike blasted through his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania almost four years ago, a tree fell on him. He broke his arm in six places and had to consider the possibility that he might never play the mandolin again. When his cast came off and he first tried to play his instrument, he realized that he had lost a lot of coordination. So he began practicing every day. He described how relearning to play the mandolin forced him to improve his technique. Today he's a better player for it.