Music therapy helps one patient deal with the pain
“It’s Good for His Soul”
How do you feel when you listen to music? If you play an instrument or sing, how do you feel when you express yourself musically?
For many patients at UHN’s West Park, weekly music therapy sessions are an important part of their lives, helping to lift their mood, achieve communication goals, and provide cognitive stimulation and an outlet for creative expression. And for stroke survivors who want to regain their speech, vocal exercises are crucial.
Music Therapist Daiva Zemaitis says it is also about choice-making. “Choice-making builds trust and gives patients autonomy. When they’ve lost so much, this is one thing they have control over.”
This morning, she’s working with Guy DiProspero, who has been at West Park since June. After several cardiac arrests caused a severe anoxic brain injury, Guy was left with dystonia – a highly painful movement disorder that causes the muscles to contract, which affects his ability to speak and move. 
Guy has always loved music, his wife Sandra says. “The house was never quiet, he always had music playing.”
Today’s session begins with Daiva asking Guy if he wants to hear a fast or slow song. Guy mouths “slow” in response. Daiva asks if he wants to hear ‘I Just Called to Say I Love You’ or ‘Forever Young’ and Guy chooses the former.
Daiva sings the lyrics and plays the melody on her guitar, while Guy mouths along to many of the words. Daiva encourages Guy to help her finish the first line of the chorus, I just called to say I love you. Guy is emotional, moving to the music.
It’s great for his wellbeing, Sandra says. “He deals with a lot of pain. But music therapy brings memories back. It calms him down and often puts him right to sleep if he’s agitated. It’s good for his soul.”
The music therapy program is partially funded through the generosity of West Park donors. “West Park should be applauded for providing patients like my husband with this wonderful gift,” says Sandra.
