Gifted musician Ben Goldscheider literally blew his audience away after playing in front of 5,000 people at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in London.
MORE: Eight tips for protecting your lungs from unhealthy air.
The 19-year-old made his solo debut on the famous stage playing Mozart’s Horn Concerto, but what is most incredible about the talented teenager’s story is the fact that he was diagnosed with the chronic lung disease, bronchiectasis, at the age of six.
At the time, his family was told that his lung function was just 50 percent. His family thought playing a brass instrument might help to improve and strengthen his lungs, so encouraged him to learn to play the French horn, according to the Daily Mail.
Today, Ben is managing his condition with daily airway clearance physiotherapy and medication. He was accepted into the Berlin Barenboim-Said Akademie in 2016, just months after winning BBC’s Young Musician of the Year.
MORE: Nine questions to ask the doctor about your bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Wow, that is such a wonderful story of parents making a fruitful decision for the benefit and health of their son.
As a Mom, I encouraged my 3 daughters to swim as much as possible as children, especially underwater swimming. Expanding the lungs is mighty important for lung health.
I never realized at that time while I was raising my children that I had Bx. I wasn’t much of a swimmer at all being raised in a cold climate. Also, I very rarely got into a swimsuit, being so modest. I wish I had been raised with the opportunities that my children have had: living in a warm climate, having a pool, not intimidated about who is looking at them in a bathing suit, etc.
I am happy to say that my Bx is mild and I manage well with it and asthma with the help of meds. I pray that I do not give any of these genes to my kids, if in fact, this disease is in the genes. I am hoping that vaccines will annihilate this disease if it is caused by childhood diseases, like whooping cough, or similar. Bravo to these parents in England for being so progressive in their goal to encourage their son to do what they found would be most advantageous to his health and future career.
Hello Mary Ann,
I also have mild bronchiectasis, I was just diagnosed last week. They saw it on my CT scan. How do you manage it? Is it normal to feel breathless and feel heavy chest all the time? I’m hoping for your reply. Thank you!