Music therapist changing lives one note at a time

A CORK woman is using her gift as a musician to help people navigating the trauma of heartbreaking brain injuries.

Esther-Anna Bennett opened up about her role as a music therapist and day rehabilitation officer at Headway in Ballincollig where she is changing lives one note at a time.

The organisation made the decision to take on Esther-Anna full-time after seeing the firsthand benefits music had on the rehabilitation outcomes of a number of their clients.

Headway supports people from all walks of life living with the effects of a brain injury.

While their premises is located in Ballincollig, their music therapy service is currently being rolled out in nursing homes across Cork.

Esther-Anna, who leads the Headway Choir, said she works with clients of all ages.

“Headway has a number of clients who reside in nursing homes who I visit for individual or group sessions,” she explained.

“People often think that only elderly people reside in nursing homes but this just isn’t the case.

“I’m working with people of all ages in nursing homes who are in their thirties right up to the age of 65.

“It’s unfortunate that there are so many young people living in nursing homes but this is the best care currently available to them in Ireland,” Ms Bennett said.

“There are others who come to us who might not require around the clock care but do benefit from community living.”

Some of the instruments used by Esther-Anna might be considered unconventional by some. They include a kazoo which uses the player’s voice to create a ‘buzzing’ timbral sound.

“One of the clients in the choir uses a kazoo,” she told The Echo. “This is a mouth instrument, so you breathe and create sound when you blow air into it.

“You have to back it up with sound so he is creating sound when he plays it. This is a big thing for him because he presents as mostly non-verbal and only has a few words such as ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

“He is basically strengthening the muscles around his mouth by playing it.

“You can actually see him mouthing the words and one or two people have heard him sing as well which is very cool,” she said..

“I myself have a ukelele and also play along with the piano or keyboard just to create that blanket of sound.”

Every client involved with Headway has their own unique story.

“The highest percentage of clients would have suffered a stroke but of course there are accidents too,” Ms Bennett explained.

“They can range from vehicle accidents to workplace accidents that involve falling from heights or anything like that.

“There are also a small percentage of people who have acquired brain injuries as a result of physical assaults.”

She explained that trauma normally comes hand in hand with such an injury.

“The life that was there before their acquired brain injury is still part of them,” she said. “It means they have all the previous trauma and mental health difficulties that have come with this as well.

“With music therapy, we’re trying to create a place of wellness where people can express their feelings. Even though everyone is in the building together they are there for different reasons. However, they can still find support in each other as well.”

The UCC graduate described the rewarding nature of her position.

“I have a passion for music anyway, but when I’m in a room with a group of people it’s great to see the ones who have had a rough day or week that can now end it on a lighter and happier note”.

To find out more about the charity visit https://headway.ie/