Don’t give up on your dreams, says blind pianist who beat all the odds
PIANIST and singer Maria Greenan has overcome blindness to become one of the country’s most outstanding musicians.
Now, as another new year approaches, she is encouraging other people never to gave up on their dreams.
From the age of four, life changed for Maria in two starkly contrasting ways. Her eyesight began to cause her trouble for the first time but it was also the year that she discovered music when her father Mark came across an old piano and brought it back to the family home in Croydon, London.
“My eyesight is not my identity and I don’t do pity too well. Yes, my life altered due to my sight at four years old but to me it doesn’t de- fine me and I don’t live with what ifs,” said Maria (29).
“I’m just so thankful that my father found that piano because without it I wouldn’t have my degree and indeed my masters in classical piano performance from the Conservatory of Music and Drama at Dublin Institute of Technology.
“I just want to encourage others who may have difficulties in their lives, or if they feel as if certain things are beyond their reach, to keep pushing.”
Maria was diagnosed with glaucoma and has subsequently undergone more than 200 surgical procedures to try to stop the deterioration in her sight. She is now registered blind but still has some vision.
Her parents Mark and Andrea, who now live in Cavan, never let anything hold their daughter back. She attended mainstream school and was not treated differently.
Her brother James was always there to encourage her and he became a performer in dancer Michael Flatley’s shows.
“When I was younger, I think the fact that I would lose my sight completely eventually was a lot scarier as I had this image in my head that I would just wake up blind, but it is happening gradually,” added Maria.
“Yes, it was traumatic but it has made me the person I am today — determined or stubborn maybe.
“I don’t want people to feel sorry for me. I’d rather poke fun at myself. I’ve never been sensitive about my sight. I don’t use a cane as I don’t want to send out the signal that I’m a girl with a cane.”
Maria returned her beloved guide dog, Yossie, to trainers as she “felt there was someone who would need the dog more as they cost €35,000 to train”.
Maria launched her album Alchemist last January to critical acclaim.
“Music is all I ever was interested in growing up and piano performance was my main priority. Performing as a soloist in the National Concert Hall around the time of finishing my masters was so special,” she said.
Maria is also enjoying her latest hobby — powerlifting. “I try to train a couple of hours each day, five days a week. I’m hoping that over the coming months I might make it on to the Irish team,” she added.