MBE for paralysed violinist Rosemary Johnson who uses brainwaves to play

Rosemary Johnson recieved her award from the Duke of Cambridge
Rosemary Johnson recieved her award from the Duke of Cambridge

A violinist formerly with the Welsh National Opera, who uses brain wave technology to perform despite being paralysed, was awarded an MBE for services to music yesterday.

Rosemary Johnson, 52, who received the honour from the Duke of Cambridge, was left in a wheelchair and unable to speak after a car accident almost 30 years ago. She spent seven months in a coma and now lives at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in Putney, southwest London. This year she began using a cap attached to sensors that allows her to “think music”, said her aunt Anne Murnane, 80, who described being able to hear her niece play as “lovely”.

Ms Murnane said: “A violinist who was in the orchestra with her years ago can play