Stroke and the magic of music

Life is but a song …

How true that 1800s bit of prose is when it comes to the magic of music in stirring something so deep and precious within stroke survivors. I've witnessed how the beating drums in the circle of survivors and caregivers at Retreat and Refresh Stroke Camp, born here in Peoria, IL, miraculously awakens the complex components of the brain to bring forth song from lips that have trouble speaking ordinary words.

I have learned so much from observing music therapist Susan Bock in action as she pulls the self-proclaimed musical and non-musical campers into a circle of sound that reminds us of the unique rhythm of life that literally keeps us alive as our heart seems to ease or quicken its pace, depending on the beat. Even if you adamantly claim you ain't got no rhythm at the start, you have by the time the final note echoes. Susan knows all the theory and correct terminology behind it. I just know what I like and see and hear in this particular circle of life.

I witnessed something even more amazing the other day when I observed Susan in action working one-on-one with a stroke survivor. The basic extent of this survivor's vocabulary has been "Yes yes yes" and "No no no" or shorter versions thereof. During a half-hour session, I listened to this survivor actually sing some of her favorite songs, proclaim that she was "going to eat, eat, eat a banana" or cucumber, eggplant, pepper, apple, orange and lemon as she shook the food-shaped shakers in rhythm.

Wow. I had those kind of goosebumps that give you bigger goosebumps when you fully comprehend what you're viewing. It was thrilling to hear her regain her voice that her family has longed to hear again and to see the smile they had missed during these months of recovery. She still has a long road to regaining the ability to talk and walk, but imagine how her own melody will gain in intensity and give her the motivation to bring her body back into harmony in the movement of life.

Now, she'll likely never be the way she was before the stroke. However, I have a feeling she'll blossom into someone even more special as she works to rebuild her world with the determination and faith stroke survivors must bring with them every morning. And that's why there are angels like Susan to pave that path with compassion and understanding.

In this case, the song is the key that opens the door to a new life after stroke.