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"I am writing in response to the music performances we have received
through Music That Heals. We are grateful to have quality programming that
offers a child with severe mental illness another medium to safely express
themselves. In particular, children suffering from depression seem to easily engage in listening or singing along with the music. In addition to accessing
feelings safely, the performances provide a non-threatening and enjoyable
'reward' for children who struggle to meet the challenges of each day. Thank you for your continued support; Music That Heals greatly enhances our therapeutic programming."
- Elizabeth Graziadei
Art Therapist, Child Psychiatry
St. Vincent's Hospital
"Thank you so much for providing entertainment during the holidays at
the Child Life Program at SUNY Downstate of Brooklyn. Music That Heals gave
the gift of music to children in the playroom and to some children at their
bedsides. The impact the music had on three patients in the PICU was
incredible. An eight-month-old baby who has been hospitalized practically
since birth became very relaxed and calm while staring at the performers. A
three- year-old asthmatic sat up in bed and suddenly became very animated and
sang along to his favorite holiday songs. A two-year-old stood next to her
mother, rocking back and forth to the music while keeping her eyes closed.
She would periodically peek at the performers, but never lost her rhythm.
Thanks for making this possible."
- Lisa S. Smith, CCLS
Children's Medical Center of Brooklyn
"I love it when Music That Heals comes to the hospital. There's a lot we can
do as physicians to help people get well physically but there are not a lot
of ways we have to help lift their spirits. There are a lot of aspects to
getting well. It's not only the stress of the illness that patients have to
deal with, but the disruption of their lives. I have seen performers engage
some of the most difficult patients that I have to work with. I think it
helps take patients away from focusing on their illness and gives them some
of the strength and energy they need to get through their ordeal. It helps in
the recuperative process, and it's a wonderful thing to see patients smile.
It also does wonderful things for the staff by lifting their spirits, which
helps improve the whole working environment."
- J. McKinnell, M.D.
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Brooklyn Hospital
"On behalf of the entire Inpatient Pediatric Service, we deeply thank you for your time and generosity to our children. The show was ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS. The children and their families wholeheartedly enjoyed the presentation. The abundance of singing and laughter allowed the children to focus on positive energy as oppoesd to their hospitalization and illness."
- Carla Pratt
Child Life Director
Jacobi Medical Center
"Jonathan, a seven-year-old child diagnosed with cerebral palsy and global developmental delay, whose body is crumpled with spasms, was able to shake a percussion egg and join his family in song and celebration even though a word could not pass through his lips... Yes, yesterday was a gift... the gift is 'Music That Heals.' "
- Ann Nancy Fogel
Child Life Therapy
Hospital for Joint Diseases
"I'd like to thank you for arranging a Music That Heals performance at our school today. Our children ages 2-5 were as motivated as I've ever seen them. They were engaged and attentive from the very first song up until the performance ended an hour later. Our children, who often have difficulty relating to one another, or even making eye contact, were able to take the initiative in connecting with their peers by forming dance circles, partner dancing and expressing themselves as individuals. We look forward to having these performers at our school again."
- Linda Baker
Special Events Coordinator
The Herbert G. Birch Early Childhood Center
"Most of the children at University Hospital are chronically ill and are repeatedly hospitalized. For these children an opportunity to sing (some even danced) and participate in the holiday spirit is especially important. Children in wheelchairs, on oxygen, with I.V. poles were all able to sing and clap and for a short time, to forget about being in the hospital."
- Laurel H. Whitaker
Director of Child Life
Children's Medical Center Kings County Hospital
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