As the Director of Therapeutic Recreation at a long-term care facility, I had the pleasure of working with a phenomenal Music Therapist named Charles. He worked with the residents in small groups but also visited several residents on a one-to-one basis. Charles provided music therapy for many residents, but there is one resident’s story that I will never forget.
For months Charles provided music therapy to a man named Joe. Joe was a single guy in his early forties who was diagnosed as being in a coma. He was non-responsive to any external stimuli and spent the passing days, weeks, and months lying in bed. Joe was dependent on machines to help him breathe and eat, and the staff to care for his needs.
Charles would provide music therapy services for Joe 2-3 times a week. Sometimes Charles would play the guitar and sing, other times he would play CDs of Joe’s favorite music. Charles began to notice that Joe was demonstrating small “responses” such as facial movement. The nurses said, “No way”. “That’s not possible because he is in a coma”. It was believed that the facial movement was simply “involuntary” movement. However, that didn’t deter Charles from continuing on with the music therapy sessions. In fact, he was more determined than ever to prove that Joe could hear the music!
It was a Friday afternoon. Charles finished up a session with Joe and said, “Have a great weekend, Joe. I’ll see you next week”. Charles began to walk toward the door. He turned around and saw that Joe, still lying-in bed, eyes closed, machines giving him life, had given Charles a “thumbs up”! The nurses and therapy professionals were notified. Within months Joe was able to sit up, eat, breathe, use his hands and arms, and eventually went home with his girlfriend.
Why do I share this story with you? There are important success principles to keep in mind.
• Believe in yourself and have faith in your profession.
• KNOW that what you do makes a HUGE difference.
• Speak out. What you have to say is valuable!
A FEW BENEFITS OF MUSIC
Music is a wonderful modality for anyone including those with various levels of cognition, physical abilities, religious beliefs, culture, ethnicity, age, and so on.
Music is the universal language.
Music is instrumental for those who may be sad or melancholy, for it can evoke memories.
Some memories may bring about sadness, so we must be careful with that, but music is a very powerful way to elicit emotional release.
Music is a massive motivator for it can make us want to move, dance, smile, clap, sing, chant, tap, etc. We know how beneficial movement is!
Music brings people together and can help increase socialization and communication.
Music can help with cognition, expression, creativity, attention span, recall, and so much more!
