Photo: JEFF WILLHELM - jwillhelm@charlotteobserver.com
By Joe DePriest
jdepriest@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013
BELMONT He was a normal 12-year-old boy until a car smashed into his bicycle as he pedaled around an eastern North Carolina community.
Unable to speak or walk, and with only limited movement, he came to Belmont-based Holy Angels, a center for children and adults with severe disabilities, 2 1/2 years ago.
Doctors had low expectations for the boy’s future – until a new music therapy program struck a note.
The boy, whom center officials asked not to be named because of his condition, hadn’t spoken since the accident. But he recently astonished Holy Angels staff and volunteers by lip-synching the word “hello” during a therapy session.
“There were goose bumps on everybody,” said volunteer Lynn Leonard. “It was a red-letter day.” Later, the boy would go on to mouth all words to a recording of The Temptations’ soul classic, “My Girl.”
As he learns to talk again, his self-confidence has grown to the point he’s feeding himself once more. The Holy Angels “Music Therapy Suite” rocks these days to the sounds of drums, bells, tambourines, guitars and tubelike “boomwhackers.”
Music brings joy and pleasure to the mostly nonverbal, wheelchair-bound residents. But Holy Angels officials say the program is more about communication, interaction and learning skills that can be used in daily life.
A melody may inspire someone with limited movement to raise a finger – an action that can be remembered and used to lift a fork at meal time.
In the special world of Holy Angels, where most of the 100 residents can’t speak, walk, feed or dress themselves, this is a small but important step. Officials say music therapy is improving quality of life.
“Their needs are complex, and they rely on us for everything,” said Regina Moody, Holy Angels president and CEO. “We’re trying to figure out what they really want and need. We’re being innovative and cutting-edge for what makes sense for the population we serve.”
Founded in 1956 by the Sisters of Mercy, the private nonprofit Holy Angels provides 24-hour care for children and adults with intellectual development disabilities and fragile medical conditions. Based on individual needs, services may include medical, special education, physical therapy, vocation and daily skills training, speech, horticulture and creative arts therapy.
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/12/22/4564514/music-therapy-sessions-making.html#.Urg1anmQf8k#storylink=cpy
0 Comments:
Post a Comment