It all started in February 2011, whilst living in France, I visited my parents in Nottingham, England.
My mother had saved me an article from the Daily Telegraph "Music therapy has flipped the switch for U.S politician, Gabrielle Gifford" As I read the article I felt a lump in my throat and a profound sense of “these are the techniques I need to learn”.
The pure serendipity of coming across this article and its content had also 'flipped my switch'. Although it was a long shot, I decided to write to the music therapist treating Gabrielle Gifford; Ms Maegan Morrow, and I googled the address of the hospital; TIRR Memorial Hermann.
Ten days after sending this letter, I received an email from Maegan saying that she and her director Amy Marroquin would be delighted to have a European intern. I was completely over the moon.
With Amy and Maegan as my competent and friendly supervisors, I discovered, learnt and practised the techniques of 'Neurologic Music Therapy' on brain injured patients. They also encouraged me to do the NMT course with Dr Michael Thaut at Colorado University, which gave me further insight and training in music therapy for neurological disorders.
Working with other therapists at TIRR: PT’s, OT’s and speech, in co treatments with patients, I witnessed how effective combined therapies are to a patients’ recovery. This teamwork can accelerate a patients’ progress with their motor, speech or cognitive skills. Every therapist appreciates each of his fellow therapist’s approach, training and techniques, which result in a powerful rehabilitation programme.
After this rich and rewarding experience at TIRR, I was motivated to adapt these methods for rehabilitation hospitals in France, at 'Centre Hospitalier Paul Coste Floret' in the south of France.
I found Amy Marroquin’s statement, with her reference to the Gabrielle Gifford incident, to be the most appropriate:
"One horrible event led to multiple opportunities to further educate medical professionals and our local and national communities about the existence of Neurologic Music Therapy and how music is able to facilitate the healing process after TBI."