Indonesia
Unlimited Memory of Daniel Cuandy
Behind his limitations as someone with autism, Daniel Cuandy is gifted with something extraordinary. He remembers hundreds of phone number, never forgets birthday of people he met, and keeps track of 150 years of calendar.
Daniel is very familiar with any date, week or month within 1900-2050. If you happen to bump him anywhere, Superkids, just ask any random date that pops up in your mind, and he will tell you the day. Or try asking, “On what dates, the Fridays in November 1920?”. Then check on your digital calendar and see that his answer is correct. How does he do that? Here is a light chat Superkids Indonesia with Daniel, who is accompanied by his mom, Adelia Anastasia, during the International Autism Awareness Day in Surabaya.
So, Daniel, how did it start?
I am always fond of calendar since little. I love to read the numbers and markings on the calendar. Mom never stopped me. She even gave me old calendar from previous years because she knows i like it.
So you have a lot of calendar in your collection at home?
A lot! Mom had them printed per year and pressed.
When did your family aware of your supersharp memory?
I like to tell stories. Mom said my stories are very detail. The dates and days, what time it happened down to the minutes, when did the person go, what kind of suit he wore, the color….
When did mom aware that you also memorize calendar?
My cousin Pricilla likes to test me. She would be like, “Daniel, what day is it October 10th 2001?” I answer correctly and she would ask me more and it kept on going.
And you just happen to memorize the 150 years of calendar?
No, it was one step at a time. When i was seven, i could only memorize 10 years from 2000 to 2010. I could memorize 150 years from 1900 to 2050 when i was 12 years old.
Anyone acknowledge you aside of your family for this memory?
I got award from Muri (Indonesian World Record Museum) as some who can memorize 150 years calendar. It was awarded in Kuningan Tower, Jakarta, April 26th 2013.
Wow, that’s amazing, Daniel!
Thank you. They recognized my autism since two years old. However, after therapy, i get to enter public school. I just recently chose homeschooling this past year.
Astounding. Any plan expanding the memory to 500 years calendar?
I could with more practice. But, what’s the point? Mom has the phone locked at home because i always make calls. She gets confused of how i can remember so many phone numbers of friends and relatives while we don’t have phonebook at home.
Hahaha..
Hehehe
Interested at anything else than calendar?
Music. I play keyboard, drum and guitar. I also like to draw pictures.
That’s cool, Daniel!
Thanks.
BIOFACT
Name: Daniel Cuandy
Birth: Singapore, July 28 1997
Address: Sunter, Jakarta
Award: Muri Award as Someone Who Memorize 150 Years of Calendar
PHOTOS: HAFIDA INDRAWATI
