Aurora, Colorado — Late last year, 11-year-old Jude Kofie got an incredible surprise. Those who say that the best things come in small packages have never been given a grand piano.
One day, a piano appears at Jude’s house.
“Everything is free,” said his father, Isaiah. “Who does it?”
To understand how they got here, we have to go back a year and a half to when Isaiah heard noises coming from the basement. There was an old keyboard there, but no one knew how to play it. There is no doubt that it is an autistic son.
Jude never took lessons. No one taught him how to play. But Isaiah brought Jude a bigger keyboard to see what more he could do.
“It’s a miracle,” Jude said of his musical talent.
“Do you think it’s a miracle?” CBS News asked Jude.
“That’s my preference,” replied Jude.
Bill Magnusson likes it too.
Magnusson is a piano tuner. He saw a local news story about Jude and heard him play. He learns that Jude’s parents immigrated from Ghana, are raising four children, and are sending money to their families in Ghana.
“What resources do we have left to help this special little soul?” Magnuson said.
Magnuson used his father’s inheritance to buy a $15,000 piano, estimated to be worth $45,000, and promised to tune it once a month for the rest of his life. He also pays for Jude to take professional lessons.
“We are a family now,” said Magnuson.
The Coffey family is grateful.
Isaiah said, “We are so grateful to those who love our son in that way by ensuring his future.
contact on the roador to submit a story idea, email us: OnTheRoad@cbsnews.com.
Steve Hartman
