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Frisco boy with musical gift will meet hero

The Schneiders never thought a simple video of their 11-year-old would attract so much attention. It even reached singer-songwriter Ben Folds and led to a meeting scheduled for Thursday.

The Schneiders never thought a simple video of their 11-year-old would attract so much attention. It even reached singer-songwriter Ben Folds and led to a meeting scheduled for Thursday.

Rob and Jenn Schneider have two kids; one is their biological daughter named Rebecca, who is now 15. Their second was adopted -- a "gift," they say, after instantly connecting with a two-month-old boy they named Ben.

Ben is now 11 and he is all energy and heart.

"To me, he is pure love," Jenn said.

Ben Schneider, now 11,  has faced medical issues since his birth.

They knew from the onset that Ben's arrival in the world was difficult. He became very familiar with hospitals; "Once a month since his birth," is how his father described it.

Doctors told the family that Ben faces a variety of medical hurdles, including cerebral palsy, autism, albinism and blindness.

"He probably tells me 25 times a day that he loves me, and that's the best thing in the world to hear that," Rob said.

But the medications were not helping. In fact, the family says said they were actually hurting Ben.

After many lengthy hospital stays, they slowly weaned him off medication. The transition was still difficult for the family, but they pushed through.

"Every doctor we'd see hasn't seen the combination of symptoms they have with Ben," Rob said.

The family tells WFAA that things started to normalize when Ben turned eight; they were able to connect with him and communicate with him.

His growth since then has been exponential. What the couple didn't expect was for one answer to be in their living room all along: The piano.

Ben Schneider, 11,  has developed a love of music.

"Love never sounded so sweet," Jenn said.

Ben Schneider took to the family's piano.

"If he's got a gift, this is his gift to the world," Rob said.

When WFAA was visiting their home, we noticed that Ben was very proficient at one specific song: Ben Folds' "Sky High." It's a song he will play over and over.

Jenn said he may play it 20 times a day.

"I feel happy when I play the 'Sky High' song," Ben told us.

He can't read the music, but he feels it... literally. Ben keeps an ear close to the piano.

"He wants to feel the vibration," Jenn explained.

Rob Schneider sent a video of his son playing that song to Ben Folds and his agency.

"He got back to me in five minutes," Rob said.

Both Bens will meet Thursday in Dallas at the Majestic Theatre. Rob Schneider, who is an avid Ben Folds fan, is just excited for the opportunity ... especially for his son.

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