Tooele’s Kodi Lee, 11, overcomes disabilities to become a musical prodigy

What do five Tooele High School students and one 11-year-old blind, autistic boy have in common? They all belong to the band Kodi and the Chillbodi's.

With the help of 11-year-old Kodi Lee's parents Tina and Eric, Will Beaty, Alan Palmer, Jared Gutowski, Braxton Bitsoi and Chad Carter have formed a band that revolves around Kodi and is a form of therapy for him.

Kodi was diagnosed with optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) when he was 3 months old.

When someone has ONH their optic nerves don't fully develop, causing blindness, Tina said. It also causes hormonal issues from brain abnormalities.

"The wiring is all there, but it is miswired," she said.

Kodi is completely blind in his left eye, and has very low vision in his right.

On top of being blind, Kodi was diagnosed with autism when he was 4.

He was attending the Blind Children's Learning Center in California -- where he and his family used to live -- with some other children who were the same age, Tina said, adding as she watched as they developed, Kodi just didn't seem to develop at the same speed.

When he was 3 1/2, Tina and her husband Eric took Kodi to doctors for testing. After many tests, Kodi was diagnosed with autism.

People who are autistic usually struggle with four primary issues, Tina said. They lack communication skills, have problems with social skills, have little to no control over their emotions, and display repetitive motions.

Having these drawbacks can make it difficult for a person to find something they excel at, but for Kodi it didn't take long for his parents to realize music was going to be an important part of his life.

Kodi started making rhythm when he was an infant, Tina said. When he was 2 he starting plucking at a piano with two of his fingers, and when he was 3 he was playing the piano with six fingers.

"At the age of 3 he could play anything he heard," Tina said. "At first there were mistakes, from learning the keys by hearing, but over time he became better and better."

But it wasn't until the Lees took Kodi to Disneyland for his 6th birthday that they knew he was going to be an entertainer.

"We were resting by a stage and a group of men came out to sing a capella," she said. "As they were singing, Kodi started beating to the music. The leader came out and asked Kodi if he wanted to sing with them and Kodi said 'Yes.' Kodi got on stage and sang "Shout" with the group. Everybody in the audience thought Kodi belonged to the group because he was right on tune with the rest of the men and didn't mess up once."

It was at this point that Tina and Eric knew Kodi was going to be OK.

"We were given hope on this day," Tina said. "We knew he was going to be an entertainer."

Tina added that they had to return every 30 minutes for Kodi to perform with the a capella group.

Kodi had performed for family events before he was 6, but this chance at Disneyland was the first time he ever performed in front of a large crowd -- and it was not the last.

Kodi has performed all over the world. When he first started performing he only sang one song: "The National Anthem."

Some of the places Kodi has performed include, Kansas, Korea, Japan and California, where he even had the chance to perform with two members of the Temptations.

"This was the best event for Kodi," Eric said. "When the Temptations came on stage you could see Kodi was so excited, but he didn't quit singing. He finished the song."

Eric and Tina came to the decision after the Disneyland trip that they were going to use music as a form of therapy for Kodi.

"We told Kodi that if he wanted to let us allow him to perform, he had to do something for us," Tina said. "He was encouraged to sit through an event before and after his performance so he could shake hands and introduce himself to others."

This was a challenge for Kodi because he wanted to arrive right before he performed and leave as soon as he was done. When they first started performing they would arrive right before he was to perform, and then required him to socialize with the crowd. Over the years, and with perseverance on Tina and Eric's part, Kodi can now arrive and eat dinner before he performs, then stay and socialize for more than a few hours.

"We've only had two breakdowns in the five years he's been performing," Tina said. "Anyone can touch or talk to him and he doesn't shy away as much. He's a totally different boy through performing."

When the Lees moved to Utah they knew they wanted to get a band together for Kodi, but they wanted to go with a younger group so they could teach the band members.

"We wanted to show teenage boys that disabled people are just like us and everybody else," Tina said.

Tina asked around and found Braxton Bitsoi at Tooele High School, who in turn helped recruit the other band members.

The band first met at the Lee's home and they meet together once a week to rehearse. The band even traveled to Long Beach, Calif., from Jan. 24 to 26 to perform at the Festival of Human Abilities, held at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

Tina and Eric's wish of teaching these boys that disabled people can overcome their obstacles and challenges came true while the boys watched others perform.

Beatty said he had fun being around people with disabilities.

"People with disabilities have something inside them, but the disability doesn't allow it to show," he said. "For Kodi, he shows himself through his music."

Chad Carter, a junior at THS, agreed, but added that he wishes he could be as dedicated about his life as people with disabilities are about what they're passionate about.

"They are more dedicated when they want something," he said. "They do what they want to do."

Alan Palmer, a junior at THS, said there was more to disabled people than he thought.

"They need more help finding their abilities," he said. "Kodi doesn't speak as conversation, but he does speak through his music."

All five of the boys have had amazing experiences working with Kodi. They all said Kodi has helped them excel in their music.

Carter said he's amazed with Kodi's musical abilities.

"I can probably work for 30 years to learn what he knows now," he said.

Not only have the boys learned from Kodi, but his parents have learned from him too.

"Having Kodi is a humbling experience," Eric said. "Someone as special as him teaches me how little we really know about human beings' capacities."

Kodi is a lot like other 11-year-old boys. On top of playing his music, he likes pizza and hot dogs and spending time with his family.

Kodi's 9-year-old brother Derek said he likes spending time with Kodi.

"I like singing karaoke with him and playing with him by tickling him and making him laugh," Derek said.

Eight-year-old sister Kayla agreed and added Kodi makes her feel special.

"He makes me feel fine because he needs a lot of attention and is autistic, needing a lot of help," Kayla said.

Eric and Tina are proud to be Kodi's parents.

"We're so proud he's overcome obstacles and found something he still has a passion for," Eric said.

For more information on Kodi and the Chillbodi's and to inquire about performances, visit Kodi's Web site at www.kodilee.com.

Abby Palmer: apalmer@tooeletranscript.com