This time around they were two girls who were sisters and I can tell you they stole my heart from the very
minute I stepped to their bedside; One because they are actually beautiful and two because they had the best
smiles that was therapeutic for me. For me, there is a way smile speaks of acceptance even before saying or
doing anything.
Just before I continue with the tale of my time with these lovelies, I had earlier entered into the Paediatrics
Ward and it felt like I had become extra popular because all i was hearing was ‘Aunty Welcome’, ‘Aunty
Welldone, you are here again’. I could read the thoughts of those whose kids were newly admitted, they had
this face that said who is this lady with the guitar, what is she here to do. To further confirm that I was no
strange face in the ward, the nurse on duty who I am very familiar with was so glad to see me. I legit felt like a
regular customer but it was really heart-warming because it was beginning to make sense to them that what I
do is so needed in the healthcare.
Back to my tale, the girls were staring at me with a blush that said we are so shy to talk with this aunty but we’ll love it if she
talks with us. I took my seat and began conversing with them, the eldest amongst them was the one who was ill
and her sister had been with her to keep her company. They were my first Muslim patients so I initially cringed
because I understand their general belief system about Music.
Well this didn’t stop me; I had beautiful conversation with them about Health, life, school, Music and so on. I
listened more than I talked; we conversed as if we had known each other for long. During the course of our
conversation, I picked one thing and it’s the fact that their hearts were so simple, no airs and worries just living
life as it comes. I think the conversation changed me more because here was I worried about their would be
response to music but here they just loved it that they can converse with someone other than their family
members.
Close to the end of my session with them, these girls sang their best nursery rhymes, I learnt their native dialect, we sang together on the guitar
and it was so beautiful. This taught me two things, one you do not assume for a patient until you have made the
bold step to ask or try.
Two, prioritize care over cure when administering music to patients, sometimes we are
so concerned about the outcome than what happens in the process. It is not always about fixing the problem
and seeing a desired outcome, it is sometimes about bonding, the memory that lingers via conversation.
Remember, this is a compendium of lessons learnt, miracles of music in the hospital as an Aspiring Music
Therapist.
This is the #DiaryofAnAspiringMusicTherapist Episode 4.
Kindly drop your comments and feedback, I always love reading from you!❤️
ESCAPE GLOBAL 