[Dixielandjazz] Re:playing for disabled people in faciilies

[rahberry at comcast.net]

About 3 months ago I retired from Stanford Hospital.  The mother of one of my patients had a stroke while visiting at the hospital.  I was interested to learn that although she could not speak she was encouraged to sing "Happy Birthday."  I learned that a different part of the brain has that very familiar tune stored away.  Singing it helps the brain re-learn speech.
Sadly, she died within about ten days of having the stroke.
Rae Ann, San Francisco


> On 10 May 2005 at 3:16, dixielandjazz-request at ml.islandnet.com wrote:
> 
> > 
> > The hospital in which I practiced had a nursing home attached.  One morning a
> > week the chaplain, himself an amateur musician, would assemble 
> some of the
> > patients for a "memories" session which would include music.  One 
> elderly woman
> > was sitting in the wheelchair with eyes closed.  Hadn't spoken or 
> looked around
> > the entire time that I'd observed her.  They sang "Take me out to 
> the Ballgame."
> >  The woman opened her eyes, sang all the words. When it was over, 
> the slumped
> > over and closed her eyes as before.  To my knowledge, she never 
> spoke again.
> > 
> > Simple, layman's explanation of this-- some imbedded memories are 
> in a different
> > part of the brain.
> 
> I worked a gig with Larry Zuk in the Boston area (he on string 
> bass, me on piano) last year where we played and sangodest fee) at 
> a facility for brain-damaged residents, and I was profoundly moved 
> to see that many of the residents who were there were mouthing the 
> words (precisely) to many of the old standards we played.
> 
> Afterwards, many came up to us to thank us and give each of us an 
> enthusiastic hug for what we had done.
> 
> When can I go back?
> 
> 
> 
> Laurence Swain
> l.swain at comcast.net
> 617 (571) 7885
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