My very good friend and long time fan Lori Holmes-McIntyre from Sudbury Ontario who is a PSW Personal Support Worker sent me this tonight via email. After I read her story I couldnt help but break down into tears. Through the grace of God If this is what my music does for great men like this War Veteran while he is still with us, then I am using my gift of music for the right reasons and music is what I am truly meant to do while on this earth. Lori writes: Hey there! I just wanted to share a special little story with you.. Im a PSW now, and ive been working 1 on 1 with a 84 y/o war vet.. Hes in stage 5 of frontotemporal dementia.. Hes been locked in his own world the last 2 months that ive been seeing him. I was doing reading on how I can better help him, and heard that sometimes they will respond to music.. Over the last few weeks ive tried everything from Johnny Cash, to Dolly Parton, to jazz to opera.. Nothing seemed to change.. he would just sit in his chair, staring straight ahead.. Today I just put on a random playlist, a few songs came on and nothing.. Then Fat bottom girls came on and I noticed his foot moving a bit, song ended, and shortly after that so did his foot movement. Maybe it was a coincidence. Or so I thought. A few more songs passed and he was still alone is his thoughts.. Take the money and run came on and his foot started moving again, he was slowly trying to keep the beat. Every single one of your songs that I played motivated him a little bit more. By the end of my 3 hour visit, I think we listened to every song I have of yours 3 times..LOL.. For the first time I seen a smile on that mans face. So in case I havent told you before, THANK YOU.. but now i thank you for a different reason. Thank You for your amazing gift of music that is now helping me reach my clients. If I can bring a smile to their face in the short time frame I am with them, then to me, that is success Hope youre doing well.. Love ya!
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 23:44:42 +0000