MARIAH CAREY - MARIAH CAREY MAKES WAY FOR BRAVE AMPUTEE

MARIAH CAREY shared the stage with a 16-year-old amputee singer at her concert in Santa Barbara, California on Monday (15DEC03).

BECCA SOLODON, who lost her leg because of a life-threatening tumour just weeks ago, opened for the superstar at her gig at the ARLINGTON THEATER, singing LIFEHOUSE song SIMON - after Carey discovered it was her wish to sing in a recording studio.

Solodon - who was cheered on by her family and classmates - was introduced to Carey by songwriter DAMION YOUNG, who has written with the CHARMBRACELET star.

Young says, "I started telling Mariah that I met this little girl that changed my life.

"I said that Becca made me realise why we do all this, because her only dream was to spend one day in the studio. And she was like, 'I'm on tour, what can we do?'

"I said, 'Santa Barbara' and she said, 'Perfect. Opening act. Set it up. Bye.'"