This past Sunday at church I noticed Faith singing along to the chorus with a little more gusto than she has in the past. She seemed a little more confident and really projected her voice once she caught on to the words that were being sung.
I must admit, listening to her sweet voice singing the words, "He is faithful, He is glorious, He is Jesus, all my hope is in Him. He is freedom, He is healing right now" was enough to cause tears to stream down my face. Later after thinking about it, I realized that part of her new-found confidence in singing probably has something to do with the integrative music sessions she has been doing with a music therapist.
Faith playing the xylophone
fun with shakers
Every couple of weeks, Jonnica comes into our home and spends about 30 minutes with Faith singing songs and playing instruments. I know how much Faith likes music so I was pretty sure she would enjoy doing this, but an added bonus is that the music therapist also does worship at her church so she and Faith like the same kind of music!
While Jonnica does fun songs with Faith like The Popcorn Song, Ravioli and The Shaker Song, they also sing songs like "This Little Light of Mine" and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."
The great part about this music therapy is that while it is super fun for Faith, it also helps her work on things like motor skills, cognition, communication, visual and auditory skills. Besides bringing instruments like shakers, bells and the xylophone for Faith to play, Jonnica also brings flashcards with letters, numbers, words and colors. One of Faith's favorite parts though is getting to play Jonnica's pretty red guitar.
working on more than just music
Of all the cool instruments, this is Faith's favorite!
We've only really begun the integrative music sessions this year, but I am already noticing differences in Faith and how it is helping her. I'm just as excited as Faith is about this type of therapy and who knows maybe she'll be helping to lead worship one day at church!
Click on the video below to hear Faith and Jonnica's good-bye song.
Dear Cari, Faith is just the most beautiful little girl. I have never heard exactly what she has for a handicap is it spina bifida or CP or something else? It is only important to me when I tell others about youtwo it is good to have the facts straight. I can't wait to meet her sometime! Hugs, Betty
Music therapy looks like so much fun! I am in favor of any type of education or therapy that really engages kids, gets them excited, and enriches their lives!
Every December, I look for Christmas shows to record and then watch them after Faith has gone to bed. I love curling up with a fuzzy blanket and a cup of tea with the Christmas tree lights on, watching a holiday program. Usually, there is Christmas music involved! This year, one of the shows I watched was Little Big Town's Christmas at the Opry . It was really good, and one of the most memorable performances was the country band's rendition of the Merle Haggard song, " If We Make It Through December ." When I heard them sing that song, I resonated with the title. Faith and I had both come down with COVID. Before that, I was just getting over a bout of the stomach flu. (Thank goodness Faith didn't catch that!) In between sicknesses, Faith and I managed to make it to The Nutcracker, but that's about the only thing we did in the days leading up to Christmas. We made it to our 7th annual Nutcracker performance! One thing I missed that I was very disappointed a...
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Guest Post by Stephen Gallup Last week, a columnist for the local newspaper interviewed me in connection with a memoir I wrote that’s being published this year. It was a comfortable, low-key discussion in which he asked about the basic facts regarding my disabled son Joseph and what I’ve learned that might be of value to other families. It was the sort of dialog that required no special preparation in advance. I just sat down with him and talked about the subject closest to my heart. But looking back on it now, one thing bothers me. In concluding the interview, the reporter expressed heartfelt sympathy for everything I’ve endured. He was being more than polite. I mean, he laid the compassion on with a spatula. Startled, and already thinking ahead to what I had to do next that day, I just thanked him and said goodbye. But now that final note troubles me. I don’t want sympathy! First of all, from the point of view of a new author hoping to promote his book, sympathy...
By Lori Borgman - written May 12, 2002 recently posted on www.amazingamelia.blogspot.com My friend is expecting her first child. People keep asking what she wants. She smiles demurely, shakes her head and gives the answer mothers have given throughout the ages of time. She says it doesn't matter whether it's a boy or a girl. She just wants it to have ten fingers and ten toes. Of course, that's what she says. That's what mothers have always said. Mothers lie. Truth be told, every mother wants a whole lot more. Every mother wants a perfectly healthy baby with a round head, rosebud lips, button nose, beautiful eyes and satin skin. Every mother wants a baby so gorgeous that people will pity the Gerber baby for being flat-out ugly. Every mother wants a baby that will roll over, sit up and take those first steps right on schedule (according to the baby development chart on page 57, column two). Every mother wants a baby that can see, hear, run, jump and...
Dear Cari,
ReplyDeleteFaith is just the most beautiful little girl. I have never heard exactly what she has for a handicap is it spina bifida or CP or something else? It is only important to me when I tell others about youtwo it is good to have the facts straight. I can't wait to meet her sometime!
Hugs,
Betty
Hi Betty, she was diagnosed with CP at 6 months of age. Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteMusic therapy looks like so much fun! I am in favor of any type of education or therapy that really engages kids, gets them excited, and enriches their lives!
ReplyDelete