"I recently met a new patient and his mom. During this visit, the medical team was present to tell mom that the patient’s symptoms were looking like end of life was approaching faster than previously expected.
The visit was sad, and heavy. The patient, due to his disease progression, was not able to interact with us. Though his eyes were open, he wasn’t able to make eye contact, move his muscles, or talk to us.
I started playing some of the patient’s favorite music, and I noticed that his eyes immediately widened – the first sign that he was listening and reacting.
Playing music prompted mom to do some reminiscing. She talked about the patient always listening to the same song in the shower. This patient loved to dance, and she imitated the way she always imagined him dancing in the shower when he listened to this song. Everyone present was smiling and laughing as she shared this story.
And then, the most amazing thing happened... the patient smiled! He showed us that he was listening, and enjoying our conversation, even though it was very hard for him to interact. It was evident that the power of music and his connection with his mom moved him to show us he was still there.

Bring the Joy Video Series
"I am the grateful mama to 4 incredible little girls. 2 of which spent a lot of time in the NICU (newborn intensive care unit) following their births. Avery my oldest, then Anna my youngest 6 years later. It's not an easy beginning of life going from birth to hospital but we were fortunate to have many wonderful services offered to our family to help ease the fears and adjustments.
One of those services which I think of so fondly and is still impacting us to this day (11 & 5 years later!) is music therapy. Prior to my oldest daughters hospitalization I was not very familiar with music therapy. I'll always remember the moment the kind music therapist approached me in the NICU as I was spending time with my daughter, I was feeling so many emotions as I was uncertain of what the future held for my sweet baby girl. He asked me if I'd like to sing for my daughter and he would record it for her. I loved this idea and had the perfect songs ready that I had been singing to her in my belly! This experience was so incredibly special and moving and the music therapist made it all very comfortable. Once I had the CD he made of songs, peaceful sounds we selected and stories read to her I played it for her often and it provided both of us such comfort. She's 11 now and still cherishes these songs!
Fast forward 6 years later and sweet Anna Joy was born. She spent 72 days in the NICU after being born at 29 weeks. We were so fortunate to have the same kind hearted music therapist there for us again! We made a CD for Anna with new songs special to her and just as before the experience is so cherished! This time we recorded the songs right in Anna's hospital room, I'll never forget it. It's been almost 5 years since our last hospital stay and I am still so thankful for what music therapy provided for my family!"
- Dayna, grateful mom
