Lisa Bell, Central Floridian of the Week
When Gina Incandela, 6, was diagnosed with autism, her parents were told she may never talk, but she is proving everyone wrong.
"She's just had to overcome so much to get to where she is today," said Michelle Incandela, Gina's mother. "When Gina was 2 years old, she was completely nonverbal. She didn't speak at all -- she couldn't even say the word 'ball' -- and she was diagnosed very early with an autistic disorder."
Since her diagnosis, Gina has come so far, she will be singing the National Anthem at three Major League Baseball Spring Training games this year.
"The more she sings, and the more work she does, the better it becomes," Michelle Incandela said.
After being diagnosed with autism, Gina started intensive therapy, and lucky for her, music was a part of that. Since then, her vocabulary and articulation have gone off the chart.
The kindergartener is also an accomplished pianist.
"It makes me so happy," Gina said.
Gina's music coach, Theresa Evans, has been working with her since August.
"She's just a delight, and I think she's got a lot of talent, and I hope that we can develop that into the potential that I think she has," Evans said.
Gina has already performed before large crowds at area baseball games, and plans to do it again.
"I'm going to sing at a lot of them," Gina said.
"We don't know where it comes from, because there's no talent on either side of our family," Michelle Incandela said, laughing. "Gina's the only one in our entire family that has any talent whatsoever.
She is one brave little girl, and that is why Gina Incandela is our Central Floridian of the Week.
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