Little Celebrity

So, Aidan was on the TV not once, but twice this week.  Both times for the Music Therapy program.  The Ronald McDonald House Charity just donated $30000 to build a multi-sensory room for children with critical illnesses to have a studio to relax in. 

While Aidan and his friend Sarah are not critically ill (thank goodness, touch wood...), Johanne asked that they be at the media event to help accept the cheque.  Aidan and Sarah will be able to use the room if they are having a bad day or simply needing a calming space (the therapy room is quite stimulating with all of the instruments).  I think she chose our kids as opposed to someone who is terminally ill to go on camera as it would be less stressful for them.  Everybody is different, but I know that when we were in that horrible time of waiting for heart surgery, I would have found the act of speaking to the media too emotionally charged to handle.  My nerves were raw...

Thankfully, thankfully, we've come through the other side of that stress and now can experience the joy of putting it all behind us.

Aidan is a Star! Indeed it's true - I just watched him on TV!

Last week Johanne (Aidan's music therapist) phoned to ask if he could be filmed for a news report the next day.  Short notice because it was being done in response to proposed funding cutbacks of the Success by 6 program in our province.  Of course, I said yes - with one regret that I didn't have time to get my hair cut (vanity, thy name is Carol) .

Anyhow, just before filming, the station discovered that the funding would not be cut after all.  Great news, but now they needed to change "the story."  It became a general piece about the benefits of music therapy.

Aidan was a star, indeed he was. He was not shy in front of the camera, he played the instruments with gusto, he cheered, giggled, clapped, and had fun.  I was so proud of him.

Johanne said something beautiful in the interview (I'll try to paraphrase):  "we are trying to get the gap between the typical child and the child with challenges as small as possible to make it easier when they start kindergarten."  I love Johanne - I have never met such a genuinely positive person in my life.  Is it selfish of me to think of Aidan's music therapy as "OUR" music therapy?  I hope not because I think I get as much out of it as he does. 

Wordless on Wednesday

Music Therapy

Aidan is in music therapy - and loves every minute of it (as do I). It truly is the best part of our week. Our therapist, Johanne, is beyond amazing. She delights in the kids - and you can see by the joy on her face and in her music, that she loves her job. (I haven't put a picture of her here because I haven't asked for permission yet).

The photo below shows Aidan waiting for his session to begin. Usually there is another little boy eating his lunch after his session, and the two of them hug one another, and smile at each other. We get there early and wait, because I think the before and after can be just as important as the middle. I love how Aidan's face is lit up in this picture:

A typical session begins and ends with a hello/goodbye song. Then Aidan and another participant take turns making choices using photographs of the different instruments and activities.

Here's Aidan, choosing an instrument:

Johanne usually plays a song on the piano while he accompanies her on various instruments. Here he is playing the chimes:

and the drum:

and the keyboard:

Thank goodness for music therapy. Also thanks to our local Down Syndrome Society for assisting with the cost of this wonderful program!