“In 1989 I was born without my right hand. Twenty-six years later, I’m an international concert pianist – something that perhaps few people would have envisaged. Being a professional pianist might not be the most obvious career choice if you have one hand but why shouldn’t it be?”

Nicholas McCarthy was born in 1989 without his right hand and only began to play the piano at the late age of 14 after being inspired by a friend play Beethoven’s Waldstein Sonata.

Having once been told that he would never succeed as a concert pianist, Nicholas would not be discouraged and went on to study at the prestigious Royal College of Music in London. His graduation in July 2012 drew press headlines around the world, being the only one-handed pianist to graduate from the Royal College of Music in its 130 year history.

Read his blogpost for The Huffington Post in full by clicking the above link.