When people think of a famous singer-songwriter, they usually don't think of a blind person. Which was to be expected since most singer-songwriters have the ability to see, and some are less fortunate. Saying that, there was a certain artist who managed to overcome his inability to see and managed to receive numerous awards such as the Grammy Awards, the American Music Awards, and an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. That artist is Stevie Wonder, the man who overcame his congenital blindness and went on to accomplish things that would seem impossible given his condition. Even though Stevie Wonder's music achieved major success, his childhood showed how hard work and dedication can lead to success. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayStevie Wonder was born as Steveland Judkins Hardaway in Saginaw, Michigan, on May 13, 1950. He was a premature baby, hence why he was blind. But that didn't stop him from having a "normal" childhood, he still played with the kids in his neighborhood and even rode his bike when someone was steering for him. His father left him when he was a baby, leaving his mother with the responsibility of caring for Wonder and his siblings. So, Wonder grew up without a father figure to look up to, which is hard enough, but he was also blind, and that alone caused many taunts from his peers. He then moved to Detroit with his mother after her divorce from her husband, and it was there "that he was introduced to rhythm and blues through a show called 'Sundown' on a black radio station." Even before the radio station, Wonder played a four-hole harmonica and banged toy drums, and by the age of eight he was able to play the piano, a regular harmonica, the bongo, and the battery. With the skills to play a wide range of instruments, Wonder will soon have even more chances to develop his musical career. When Wonder was eleven, "Ronnie White of the Miracles Having heard about the boy through a younger brother who was a friend of Stevie's cousin, White listened to the boy's music, liked what he heard and took him to the local black record company, Hitsville US A. The company's president, Berry Gordy Jr., impressed by the boy's voice and his skill with various instruments, signed him to a contract...” It was the true beginning for Wonder as he now has the tools to use his musical talent and show society what he is capable of About two years later, when Wonder was around thirteen years old, he released his first hit single. titled "Fingertips". It sold 16 million copies and became one of the memorable songs that would make Wonder and his employer known in years to come. having released a hit single, he has the self-confidence to overcome any other problems he might face, like what Wonder said during those years: “I was growing up, you know. ". Wonder may have gained the confidence to block out the critics and people who said he couldn't become a musician after the release of his hit single, but before that, Wonder describes how every day of his life he was subjected to negative comments about how he should just stop what he's doing because it was a waste of time. For example, Wonder says: "People at school told me I wouldn't make it, that I would end up.