Legally blind girl Rachael Leahcar shines on Australia’s “The Voice”
It's moments like this that remind us that raw talent will always shine through no matter your sex, age, creed, appearance or even disability.
Australia's "The Voice" may have only just begun its first stage of "Blind Auditions," but the show may have already found its first truly inspiring star, Rachael Leahcar.
"The Voice" Australia: Rachael Leahcar sings "La Vie En Rose"
During the broadcast, it was revealed that Leahcar, 18, has had an eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa since the day she was born. The degenerative disease is an incurable genetic eye condition that can slowly cause complete blindness and affects one out of every 4,000 people in the United States alone every year.
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"I don't see life as a huge obstacle or anything," Leahcar said during the show before she took the stage. "I don't want people to think of me as the blind girl who sings, I want people to think of me as the singer who just happens to be blind."
Leahcar performed French singer Édith Piaf's beautiful ballad, "La Vie En Rose," for the coaches and after a few moments of hesitation, they all pressed their "I Want You" buttons and gave the brave teen a standing ovation at the end of her performance.
In an endearing moment, Leahcar told the coaches about her disability saying, "I just have to say before we go on that I don't actually know if anyone turned around because I'm legally blind."
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Touched by her performance and with tears in her eyes, Australian singer-songwriter, pianist and coach, Delta Goodrem said, "What's so special to me is that it really was all about your voice." Adding, "It's not everyday that people who are special like you come along [and] I would be so honoured to be able to help you in any way I can. I just love you."
After hearing all of the coaches plead their case, Leahcar decided on someone who she has always been inspired by, saying during the broadcast, "It's a really tough decision, but the person I'm going to choose has really been an inspiration throughout my life and I probably wouldn't be the singer I am today if it wasn't for Delta."
Video: Chair brings music to the deaf
It seems like these two talented women were brought together through fate which proves that dreams can come true when you are brave enough to put yourself out there and try to achieve them.
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