'Silent Gina' Wows Crowds with Song Music Helped Unlock the Voice of a Little Girl with a Form of Autism -- Now she's Singing the Anthem to Giant Crowds By Michelle Miller
(CBS) It's only a few steps to center court at the U.S. Open. But getting here has been a long, incredible journey for 7-year-old Gina Incandela, as CBS News Correspondent Michelle Miller reports. Gina's trials began at age 2, when she still wasn't talking. Her parents got a disturbing prognosis. The doctor told Gina's mom, Michelle, "I don't know if she is ever going to speak." Diagnosed with a form of autism, Gina began intensive speech therapy. Progress was slow, until music unlocked the development door. Gina's schoolwork and social skills improved. It turns out, this challenged child has a remarkable gift. read more here Silent Gina Wows Crowds with Song Gina Singing at the Mets Game Gina Singing at the U.S.Open Gina's Website Couric &Co: Gina's Song
If you live in the Orlando area and missed the OperationSafety91 event, make sure you "thank" the media for not letting you know about it. Gina was there and as usual, sang with perfection.
This is Gina’s story. Gina Marie Incandela is seven years old. She attends second grade at a private school in Kissimmee, Florida. On the average day she can be found running, jumping, playing, talking with her many friends at school and learning as much as she can. She loves to learn new things. She also sings and plays the piano.
When Gina was about 2 years old she was diagnosed with PDD NOS (an autistic spectrum disorder). The pervasive development disorder diagnosis was a result of evaluations sought because Gina could not speak at age 2. In fact, Gina did not really start speaking words until after age 3. In addition to a speech and language delay, she had many other developmental delays. She did not have age appropriate social skills. She had poor eye contact, sensory issues, and feeding issues among others. She had difficulty transitioning and did not adapt well to new environments. She was often afraid in public and could not tolerate noisy places such as theme parks or carnivals. She had odd behaviors such as scratching the floors and walls and stacking her toys instead of playing with them. She had no imaginary play skills. When she went to a playground, she showed no interest in other children. She would simply pick up sticks and rocks.
The doctors that diagnosed her were unable to state whether her condition would improve or worsen. They were unable to tell us whether she would ever be able to speak. Their advice was to enroll her in a specialized program as quickly as possible to give her the best chance to overcome her disabilities. She attended the UCP Charter School in Osceola County in a full time day program starting at around age 2.
Unfortunately many families are sharing the experience of such a diagnosis more frequently every day. Gina received various therapies including, occupation, speech and language and behavioral. She is now in a “regular” class at a private school. She still receives therapy at school and at home but, continues to thrive and advance.
Gina has worked very hard over the past few years to reach every goal set for her. Now, this beautiful child that once could not speak, has established herself as an up and coming vocal star. She has performed the National Anthem at major events around the Country including the 2008 US Open, NBA, MLB and NHL season games. She is also no stranger to a recording studio. At the age of 6, Gina released her first CD single entitled “I Dare To Dream”. Written just for Gina by songwriter/producer Thomas Michael Dale, “I Dare To Dream” is an inspirational ballad that sends a message of hope.
