Posted on July 17, 2015
‘Music is medicine’ at mini music fest for patients [Video]
Creativity, teamwork and initiative recently helped a music-loving patient experience a bit of the summer festival life she’s been missing while at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.
When physical therapy assistant Diane Capen discovered that inpatient Angelique Scott was bummed about not being able to attend live musical performances this summer, Diane asked her daughter — Hannah Rose Graves — and her band to bring the show to Angelique.
What started as a way to go above and beyond for one patient blossomed into an event for the entire Mary Free Bed community. On a beautiful Thursday afternoon, Hannah and her bandmates graciously performed an acoustic, outdoor set for patients, family and staff as part of “Angelique Fest.”
“We wanted to make her a little festival because we heard she couldn’t come out and see music,” says Hannah, who adds that one of her favorite aspects of being a singer is being able to enrich others’ lives.
“Music is medicine and I want to be able to provide that for people,” Hannah says. “This is the perfect opportunity to heal people through music, even if it’s temporary. To make them feel better for that short period of time.”
Mary Free Bed recreational therapists Jenny Baweja and Steve Wheeler transformed the hospital’s Therapath into a music festival playground with hula hoops, pipe cleaner crowns and other whimsical touches. Creating such moments is an important component to patient care, Jenny says.
“That is what Mary Free Bed is all about. Bringing happiness to patients in unexpected places,” Jenny says. “If there’s any more we can do to make you happy or make your stay better, all you have to do is ask.”
