by Noreen Donnell, MMT, MTA
David is 19 years old and wants what any young adult man yearns for – independence. He's ready to leave his family home, get an apartment, start dating, and meet his friends for drinks and a movie. However, David has many obstacles before turning this dream into a reality. Born with Cerebral Palsy, David has severe physical limitations: he cannot walk and has limited use of his arms and hands. But what David does have is a voice. He speaks with both conviction and passion and clearly states that it's time for him to leave.
In December, 2011, the blueballoon Health Services team was contacted by David and his parents. During the initial appointment, it was agreed that we would focus on 3 main areas of functioning to assist David in his quest for independent living. Physiotherapy would address building his strength, mobility and use of equipment for transfers; Occupational Therapy would focus on his daily living skills, such as self-care, productivity, and leisure; and Music Therapy/Psychology would address his emotional and psychosocial needs as he transitioned and separated from his nuclear family environment. David understood and consented to this three-tiered partnership between blueballoon who would provide his therapy, his parents who would ensure transportation to and from the clinic as well as financially supporting his therapies, and David himself who fully committed to working through his physical and emotional challenges.
It's been 3 months since that first phone call, and team David is working steadily towards a common goal. His Physiotherapist, Stephanie Bulk goes to David's home to facilitate a series of exercises aimed at strengthening his core, stretching his muscles, and assisting with self-transfers to his bed, toilet etc. Occupational Therapist, Justine Huszczynski also goes into the home and helps David prepare his own meals, perform hygiene routines, and gain mobility around his home. In consultation with the staff Psychologist, Dr. Sonia Singh, Music Therapists Noreen Donnell and Sarah Wilson verbally and musically process his feelings. Two of the methods used in David's Music Therapy session are songwriting and improvisation. Songwriting is an excellent way to validate a client's thoughts and feelings and containing these issues in a constructive and therapeutic way. Improvising lyrics and/or music captures an immediate response from a client. One cannot pre-plan or filter thoughts or emotions in the moment, so if David is feeling particularly frustrated when he arrives to a session, music and words are there for him to access. To date, David has composed the lyrics to three songs. Below is a poignant message to the people in his life:
Time of my Life
(Melody: Green Day, “Good Riddance - Time of Your Life”)
This is my turning point
My fork in the road
Time does not still
It directs me where to go
Let's make the best of this, I'll tell you why
It's not a question, but a lesson of my time
It's something I need to do, and in the end it's right
I hope this is the time of my life.
I'll pack my suitcases, I'll take my clothes
I won't be far, but I gotta go
Memories will still be in my heart and my mind
Freedom comes to those who wait, and now it's my time.
It's something I need to do, and in the end it's right
I hope this is the time of my life
David's journey continues. He met with a social worker and has completed the paperwork for locating housing. His therapies continue both in clinic and in his family home. He is excited for the next step in his life and we are all committed to getting him there.
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