Ludwig van Beethoven: composing deaf

As Beethoven's popularity grew his hearing degraded equally as rapid, from the first onset at age 26 to 60% loss at age 31. He utilized the modern hearing aid of the time, ear trumpets, but by age 46 he was considered completely deaf.

While many of us would think losing your hearing and becoming completely deaf the cruelest of life's jokes for a composer, Beethoven created his finest works after becoming deaf. He found ways to use vibrations, like sawing the legs off a piano and putting his head to the ground while striking chords.

He is still considered one of the greatest composers of all time.

This is such a wonderful reminder that we can figure out ways to do the things we love and still find joy. What challenges can you overcome with an attitude and drive like Beethoven?