'Silent Gina' Wows Crowds with Song

(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.

Gina Singing at the Mets Game
Gina Singing at the U.S.Open
Gina's Website
Couric &Co: Gina's Song

"She would sing it in perfect pitch, and perfect key," said Michelle.

One day, 5-year-old Gina heard the national anthem on TV and insisted she wanted to sing it at a spring training baseball game. And, without a single voice lesson, that's exactly what she did.

When asked what it's like on stage, Gina said, "it's really amazing and it's kinda awesome out there."

Audiences loved her. And the once-silent Gina was in demand, belting it out at hockey arenas, ballparks, conventions, and at home games of the basketball's Orlando Magic.

She became the Magic's good luck charm, singing at nine play-off games, including three in the NBA Finals.

"It's a piece of cake," said Gina.

Gina's challenges aren't over. But like the anthem, that's all about a long, arduous battle, Gina's proving she's up to fight.

[ccats]

Maybe they should do a story about the doctor who diagnosed this child as Autistic.
She is not. I would not even categorize her as Aspergers.
Autism is a disease like cancer.
But for some reason you don't see the media doing stories on ?child cures herself of cancer? without doing more background checks to see if she ever really had it.
Reports like this simplify the disease into a simple curable ?common cold? = this SUCKS!!

I am the fater of 2 autistic children

[JasonKpe]

Ccats, as the father of two autistic children it surprises and concerns me that you are not aware of how broad the autistic spectrum is. Furthermore, you are attempting to make a diagnosis from a two minute video. Had you read her story from her web page you would know that Gina has come a long way over the past few years. According to the information, the diagnosis was the result of multiple evaluations by several professionals. You are accusing CBS of not doing the research when it is you that did not do the research here. Also, you did not listen to the story. There is no claim that this little girl is cured. You really missed the boat here.
But, I think one of the great things about a story like this is that it educates the public about how differently children are affected by autism and helps to shed light on the misconceptions that all children with autism are severely affected. If you have met one child with autism, then you have only met one child with autism. No two kids are affected the same. I hope you will research the spectrum more and pass it along to others who may also be unaware of it's broadness.

[codeshow]

My 13 year old son also has Autism and the same thing has happened with him.By age 4 he had never spoke a word even with alot of therapies, don't get me wrong therapie is very important and has helpped in many aspects of his life, but this seemed to be picked up on his own, his sisters were in band and chorus in school and we have all kinds of music in our home. By age 5 he started sing his words in perfect pitch and for the last 4 years he's played in the school band.Music has been one of the greatest joys and therapies in all our lives,I think everyone should enjoy a good tune now and than.

[fariborzzak]

cute and sweet

[joymotte]

This is a sweet, sweet story. Congrats, Gina! This is something you will never forget. Keep on proving the specialests wrong.

This is inspiring.

[brianbwb-2009]

Ironic that music has well known, and well documented, powers of healing, rejuvenation, mental stimulation, and life enhancement, and opens employment opportunities that don't have to end in retirement, but is neglected in general education, and dismissed by a tin-eared population as an unnecessary luxury.

There is a segment of the population that doesn't want future generations to be smarter, or happier about life than they, and these forces have continued to diminish support for all artistic forms of expression, perhaps because they have not yet evolved the mental capacity to understand what they encounter.

The saddest part is that many such "voluntary neanderthals" are in power.

[smoknmirrors]

Don't listen to them. Listen to Gina.

[brianbwb-2009]

To CBS, thanks for the assist.

[MalloryDavis]

Humans are incredible!

[proudmilvet]

What a little Sweetie!

[mike18881]

Watching this brought chills , what a wonderful child, may the lord bring more favors to her,and more advancements. GOD BLESS her.

[buckshottt]

Children are capable of amazing things. Congratulations , Gina, and keep on singing!