Music Therapy Builds Skills and Joy for Tidewell Patient

Gifts from generous donors to the the Tidewell Foundation provide grants to Tidewell Hospice’s innovative programs and services, such as the music therapy program.

Tidewell has three dedicated music therapists who serve patients of all ages. Chandrea Owens-Hicks, 14, a Tidewell patient for five years, has benefited from music therapy for the last 18 months.

Chandrea suffers from Aicardi syndrome, a disorder marked by missing or underdeveloped tissue connecting the left and right halves of the brain. Chandrea enjoys things that normal teenagers like, but her grandmother shares that she responds to stimuli much like a 1-year-old.

Tidewell music therapist Sarah Michaels plays songs on the guitar and encourages Chandrea to move to the music. Chandrea enjoys playing the drum and plucking the guitar strings while Sarah plays. She chooses the songs Sarah plays by pushing a yes or no button. Sarah works on Chandrea’s fine-motor skills and communication as well as movement. Chandrea doesn’t like opening her left hand, so clapping and drumming are important skills.

Jen Hicks, Chandrea’s grandmother says, “When you have a special needs (child), everybody starts out wanting to help, then all of a sudden there’s nobody around. You find yourself alone. It’s nice to have that (music therapy) because those are people who directly impact her life. It’s people who are part of her daily life that she looks forward to.”

There for Those in Need

Leaving the the Tidewell Foundation in your estate plan is a powerful way to invest in world-class care by Tidewell Hospice. For more information contact Delesa Morris, M.S., CFRE at (941) 552-7685 or DelesaMorris@tidewellfoundation.org.