Music Heals Me
ON MAY 15, 2017 I WAS HIT BY A CAR AND BOTH OF MY LEGS WERE RUN OVER WHILE I WAS WALKING IN A CROSSWALK. In that instant my life changed. My right ankle was broken, my right knee had a MCL tear and significant bone bruising that still has not fully healed. On the back of my left leg, just below my knee, I had a 8 centimeter laceration that took ten stitches on the inside and ten stitches on the outside to repair. The front of my left knee has nerve damage and still to this day is partially numb. I also had significant bruising on my left hip and arms from falling to the pavement. But the worst injury, on top of all of those, was the concussion I got from my head hitting the hood of the SUV, also known as a Traumatic Brain Injury.
The concussion was horrific. I could barely walk after my accident and even used a walker for twelve weeks, but my Traumatic Brain Injury was the most devastating experience of my life. My brain and thoughts felt like they were in slow motion. I was nauseous, vomiting and barely ate for the six days while I was in the hospital, all caused by my concussion. My emotions were raw and I would cry at a moment’s notice, often because I was terrified my brain might never heal and I couldn’t bear the thought of living the rest of my life at such a slow processing speed. I was a person that was used to doing ten things at once and excelled at multi-tasking. At work I had three computer monitors at my desk and would easily have eight to ten windows open at a time and was capable of working on multiple projects at once. After the accident it was challenging mentally and physically to do just one activity at a time.
For months I did in-home physical therapy which eventually lead to out-patient therapies at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown, MA. My team of doctors and therapists helped customize a physical and cognitive plan that included physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. They also encouraged me to include meditation, journal writing, deep breathing exercises, using a daily planner to organize my schedule, taking breaks, going to bed early, planning ahead and most importantly to nurture and respect my brain. My Speech Therapist told me to look inside myself, pay attention and to DO THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY, such as to sing, dance, exercise and volunteer. Two years later these strategies had weaved their way into my daily life and I have made a full and remarkable recovery.
I was told that after an accident like mine, people often re-evaluate their lives. My team of therapists encouraged me to listen and to be patient with myself, my thoughts and my feelings. It was painstakingly difficult at times and still sometimes is, but it gave me the freedom to uncover how I want to live my life on a daily basis. My accident got me to re-examine my life and even my existence. Luckily, I gave myself permission to begin to trust my own intuition and follow my voice.
Music has always touched me deeply and singing after my accident helped me heal in ways I never imagined. Writing songs during my recovery was very instrumental in my healing process. I am so grateful to Jack Byrne, my singing teacher and guitarist, who followed and guided me through this musical healing journey. Music heals on an emotional, mental, spiritual and physical way. Let us all listen to the music of our souls and let it heal us and our worlds.
Photographer: Amy Reichenbach | www.TheWildAwake.com
I sing for my life
My voice is my vehicle
Music Heals