Former Addenbrooke's Hospital patient who lost fingers to play piano on national TV
Grace Matthews lost her fingers and lower legs at four-years-old
A former Addenbrooke's Hospital patient who lost her fingers and lower legs at four-years-old will be on national TV tonight, playing the piano.
Grace Matthews was treated for meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia - a type of blood poisoning linked to bacterial meningitis - after falling ill with a temperature in January 2011.
She was transferred to Addenbrooke's in Cambridge from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and after nine days in intensive care, her condition worsened and came close to death before clinicians decided surgery was needed.
Grace, 19 from Norwich, will now appear in the first episode of the latest series of Channel 4's The Piano, presented by Claudia Winkleman at Birmingham New Street station.
"Grace performed in front of a few hundred people and thoroughly enjoyed the experience; she also got on like a house on fire with Claudia," Vicky Matthews, Grace's mum, said.
"Grace is fed up with hearing how proud we are of her; she keeps telling us to stop talking about it!"
After surgery, Grace took an interest in eight octave rainbow bells, accompanying former Addenbrooke’s music therapist Dawn Loombe who played the accordion or guitar.
Once home, Grace went from a small electric keyboard to a full-sized electric piano bought as both a birthday and Christmas present at 14-years-old.
Grace - whose application for The Piano show was endorsed by Dawn - uses her palm, half a thumb and the stub of her little finger to play.
"I had no hesitation in recommending Grace for The Piano; she is a fabulous musician," Dawn said.
"From the first time I met Grace, it was obvious that she was incredibly resilient and musically gifted.
"She wanted to play everything and could copy melodies in no time; it’s great to see her still enjoying her music so much."
Grace - who featured in a pre-recorded episode of the show - will be seen playing the classical piece 'Experience' by Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi.
Viewers will be able to follow the contestants’ progress over the next seven weeks with the final at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall.