Darkness—that’s what Bozena Gasior remembers feeling when she first heard her two-year-old son’s autism diagnosis. What followed was a cacophony of despair and cries, not knowing what to do, say, or feel. It was the day she thought that part of her son’s life had died. But one eventful day some four years later, his fingers touched the piano keys for the first time, and she felt something—a glimmer of light shining down, illuminating her home and family. As the boy grew in skill, dedication, determination, resilience, and passion day by day, the notes fell into place, the rhythmic beat danced along, and she felt even greater hope. When he eventually became the first piano major with autism to graduate from an advanced music program in his magnet program’s 35-year history, her hopes were fulfilled. Her story and the purpose of this book are to bring hope to anyone caring for a loved one with autism—a ray of light coming into a dark room. This is the story of a mother who courageously soldiers on to take care of her severely challenged child and of a son who works tirelessly to learn and master the language of music.

Milosz is now an accomplished pianist, and though his achievements on the piano are exceptional—he is still unable to communicate his feelings verbally or function on his own. Where words have fallen short, he has now achieved self-expression through his passion for music. The lesson this book provides is that, whether or not your loved one embraces music as his or her focus, there is much that can be achieved with hard work, sweat, and tears, and the unwavering support of his family and community.

The book tells the story of a miraculous journey through autism to fulfillment and self-expression.