Living her life through music

'60 Minutes II' to feature Venturan

By Sylvia Moore, smoore@VenturaCountyStar.com
January 7, 2004

Life without music is unimaginable for Meghan Finn.

"If a life is a life without music, it's boring," the Ventura woman said. "I don't care what kind of music it is -- I love it."

Finn's passion is singing and playing piano -- things that help get her through difficult times, she said. Finn, 26, has Williams Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects 1 in 20,000 people.

Although Williams Syndrome can lead to learning disabilities and medical problems, many people with the disorder have a deep love of and talent for music. The phenomenon has intrigued brain researchers and the media in recent years.

Tonight, the television news program "60 Minutes II" is featuring a story on Finn and other people with Williams Syndrome. "60 Minutes II" airs at 8 p.m. on CBS.

The original "60 Minutes" first reported on the group in 1997, exploring the connection between the disorder and musical expression. Finn, at the time a student at Western Michigan University, appeared in the 1997 segment.

Now, Finn takes music classes at Ventura College and lives in an apartment with a roommate. Five days a week, she works on life skills with Mary Duke, a staff member for the Training for Independent Living program. The program is part of Arc Ventura County, a nonprofit organization that serves people with developmental disabilities. Funding is provided by the Tri-Counties Regional Center. Finn's stepfather, Bob Costello, is a member of the center's board of directors.

Liz Finn Costello, Finn's mother, said her daughter was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome at 18 months of age. She said she didn't know anything about the disorder when her daughter was born. People with Williams Syndrome are missing 20 genes on chromosome No. 7, leading to developmental delays, mild to severe learning disabilities, and medical problems, including cardiac and kidney disorders. Yet they often are outgoing and have excellent verbal skills.

"Many people are interested in Williams Syndrome because of the uniqueness of the way the brain works," said Finn Costello. "People with Williams Syndrome have a great ability to communicate, and the deficit areas are so unique."

Meghan Finn has a mild learning disability. Sometimes, she has problems with balance, and, she said, her ears can't tolerate loud, sharp noises.

Her mother said early sensory stimulation and physical and speech therapy helped reduce the negative effects of the syndrome and increase the positive ones. With Duke's help, Finn has learned to take care of her grocery budget, go to the bank by herself and clean her apartment.

Her mother said Finn began showing musical talent when she was a toddler. She decided to buy her daughter an old toy piano for $50.

"She'd hear a song on the radio, memorize it, then she'd plunk it out (on the piano)," said Finn Costello. She said she didn't know there was a connection between music and Williams Syndrome until the family attended a convention and heard another young woman with the syndrome sing opera.

Finn is now recording her first compact disc with Eddie Tuduri and Gifted Artist Records. Finn said Tuduri discovered her singing while she was volunteering at a local enrichment center. The album is slated to be completed this summer.

Finn said she and others with Williams Syndrome shouldn't be patronized.