SAN DIEGO — When life tried to knock Laird Murfey down, the third grader with cerebral palsy chose to rise and take the stage.
"Thank you, parents and family members for coming to see the Spring Festival. Thank you Ms. Jacobs for always including my talents," said Laird while sitting in his wheelchair in front of a packed auditorium at the Gillispie School in La Jolla.
Using eye gaze technology, Laird communicates his thoughts through a computer. Laird types using his eye contact with the screen. The computer amplifies his words through a speaker for others to hear.
"He is braver than I am," said Laird's mother Melissa.
Her pregnancy with Laird was healthy and normal but during delivery her uterus ruptured.
"They did an emergency C-section but by the time they got him out he'd been without oxygen for half-an-hour, and they finally got a pulse after three tries and 20 minutes or something - it was really bad," said Melissa.
Doctors didn't think Laird would survive. A scan of his brain showed a flat line.
"And then he opened his eyes at eight days old and made a comeback," said his mother.
He's been fighting ever since and making music where ever he goes. Laird composes music.
His third grade classmates performed his new song called "Balloon" at the Spring Festival." Each child held a balloon and wore a Laird T-shirt that said "Rise".
The balloons rose and so is Laird's profile. He has caught the attention of some famous musicians such as Adam Levine.
On Halloween, Laird dressed up as Adam Levine and visited the pop star at his show "The Voice."
"Laird? That's so cool dude," said Levine on a video Laird now treasures.
Laird shared his music with Adam and received a rave review.
"Here's some advice. One is you are going to have a hard time chasing the ladies away, so there is that. I am so excited to hear this man, it's so cool. Congratulations. Really nice to meet you dude. Really nice to meet you," said Levine.
Laird has also met the Zac Brown Band twice.
It's almost as if this kid is a movie star. Cue up another video. This time it's a professionally edited video that allows the viewer to tag along on a Murfey family ski trip.
There's no mountain Laird won't climb or slide down.
His father, Scott, is holding onto Laird's adaptive ski rig as Laird bombs the snowy slope and rips a tight turn off a snowy bank with a huge smile on his face.
At the Spring Festival, the same air Laird didn't get enough of at birth he now fills with his music.
"Rise, rise, rise," the children sing as they individually let their balloons rise from behind their backs.
Laird's song is called "Balloon."
Balloons can't walk or talk either, so they fly, just like Laird.
"Here is a balloon for everyone to rise," sing the children.
If you'd like follow Laird's story or learn more about his journey go to, Laird Murfey.