What if you couldn’t sing your favorite song? What if you couldn’t say “I love you” but you could play three chords on the piano? What if you couldn’t remember a loved one’s name, but could hum your favorite tune? What if you couldn’t walk but could dance with grace and ease to music you love?

At the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function, the power of music to heal, rehabilitate and inspire is developed and revealed every single day. Below you will read about people whose stories stand as testament to music’s profound effects in enhancing the lives of those suffering from Alzheimer’s, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological disorders.

Trevor

Trevor Gibbons was a carpenter installing windows on the fourth floor of a new building when he had his first stroke. The confusion and dizziness caused him to lose his balance and fall, resulting in an additional spinal cord injury. Almost a year later after suffering another stroke and undergoing cervical spine surgery, he came to Beth Abraham for sub acute rehabilitation.  Harnessed in an immobilizing body brace, Trevor had difficulty talking.  His vocal chords had been damaged and he was dealing with tremendous physical and emotional pain. What he could not express verbally about this life-changing situation, found another outlet through the simple melodies of gospel songs.

Encouraged by his music therapist, Trevor began singing and writing his own music. During one improvisation he was 'sitting at the window watching all the cars go by, wondering why [he felt] so empty inside', which became the first words of his very first song.  He is now in the process of producing his second album, which will contain 10 of his original songs.

About Trevor's Music...

"Music is my inspiration, my escape from sadness and loneliness and pain. When I start to sing it opens up my mind and I think 'there's nothing I can't do.'"

The Song of the Birds was inspired by the birds that would sing every morning outside Trevor's window. He would wake up unmotivated and tired, but hearing the birds outside brought him hope and inspiration to get up, get out of bed, and do his best to make it through his recovery.  He felt like the birds were singing a positive song and was thankful to have made it through another night.  This specific song demonstrates Trevor’s way of keeping a positive insight despite his circumstances by letting something as simple as bird chirping serve as an inspiration.

Sharing a soulful moment, Trevor uses his own
compositions to express his innermost thoughts &
feelings.

Jeremy

Three men broke into Jeremy’s apartment two years ago, assaulted him, set him on fire and left him to die. He survived. With both arms so badly injured that they had to be amputated, Jeremy started the long road to recovery.

Along with basic physical therapy, psychotherapy and medical treatment, Jeremy received music therapy. Eighteen months after his first session, music therapy has helped reconnect him with his love of music. He was very involved in his church choir before his accident, but writing songs, multi-track recording and CD production were all new adventures for him. Thus the process of creating personally meaningful music involved the entire gamut of the music therapy process: creative and personal explorations, music instructions, collaborations, philosophical discussions, and music technology instructions. Jeremy now writes original songs about his life without arms, about how people treat him differently, and how he has significantly changed the way he sees himself.   He openly discusses his trials and his newfound meaning in life.  Music is central to this new life in that it connects him with that part of himself that is expressive, accomplished, and hopeful.

“When I was young my mother used to tell me to stop touching everything, but I couldn’t...as a child, it was my way of familiarizing myself with the world. Touching is a big part of who I am - or at least who I was before I lost my hands.”

During the process of writing “Still Beautiful,” Jeremy struggled with the realization of his profound losses. For him, touching is more than just gathering information about temperature and textures; it’s connected to who he is as a physical person in the physical world. How was he going to reconnect with the part of himself that he lost? Though music may not provide all the answers, it has given him an outlet to express his emotions and to “touch” people in a different way. In his extraordinary journey, Jeremy has learned to see the beauty in his everyday encounters with strife, success, relationships, and even pain…lessons he shares with us through this song of hope.  

The Rejuvenators

The Rejuvenators is Beth Abraham's popular music group. Our inhouse "rock stars," the group chose the name "Rejuvenators" to reflect their belief in regaining strength by pursuing musical goals.

With Walter on drums, Florence on bells and Horrace on vocals, it is more than a band...it is therapy in the most profound sense: it restores the experience of family, community, and self worth.

The Power of Music...

At Beth Abraham, more than 200 receive music therapy at least once a week...and all residents benefit from a therapeutic, music-rich environment.

A former Chinese Language translator, Freddie learns
guitar to express what he can no longer say with words.

 
Angelo, an 84 year old stroke patient, uses musical
improvisation to cope with depression, immobility,
and speech difficulties.

Even at 98, a "young at heart" Isabella maintains physical strength
and her joy of music.