It was when Ellen Hara was paying the receptionist at the pediatrician's office in Maitland, Florida, that she asked her son Jared, who was 11 at the time, to read the eye chart on the wall.  "Mom," Jared said," I can't see out of my right eye."   These words set off a chain of events that would take Ellen, her husband Mark, their daughter Audra and Jared on a year long search to find the truth about Jared's failing sight, and would ultimately test the strength of their once invincible family.  Learn more about Jared and his family at www.blindsidedthemovie.com.
 
It was finally determined in the fall of 2002 that Jared had Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, a rare genetic disease that destroys the optic nerves.  Jared by now had lost all sight in his right eye, and it would only be a matter of months before it claimed the sight in his left eye as well.   

Knowing Jared would no longer be able to play hockey, his one true passion, Jared's father bought him an electric guitar in hopes of redirecting his feelings of misfortune.  Jared would ultimately embrace the instrument and worked tirelessly with his instructors as they verbalized instructions to him.  His hopes and dreams began to shift from playing college hockey someday, to becoming an accomplished guitarist and ultimately, a Rock Star.  This would change his family's life forever.

Inspired by the happiness Jared received from music and how easily Jared learned to play guitar just by listening to his teachers verbalize instructions to him, the Hara's would now refocus their lives on something more important than anything they had ever done.  They set out to create the finest all-audio music instruction products that made it easy and exciting for everyone to learn to play musical instruments and popular songs.  

The Hara's started TalkingTabs and hired the finest musicians and educators who spent 2 years developing a new all-audio method of music instruction that was easier and more entertaining than anything ever developed.  

"The gift of music gave Jared life,” said Mark Hara. "We want everyone to have the same opportunities as Jared.”