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Sue Ryder Care music therapy leads to CD launch

24 April 2008

A musician living with Multiple Sclerosis has released a CD - 30 years after he first started to pen the lyrics for ‘Why Me?’

Richard Swann, 57, who has always been involved with music and a member of various bands, wrote the first verses of his song following his diagnosis of MS. He revisited the piece three decades later when he started music therapy sessions at Sue Ryder Care’s neurological care centre, The Chantry, near Ipswich.

Working with music therapist Maria King, Richard added a new verse to ‘Why Me?’, a love song dedicated to his wife, Doreen, that broaches the effect living with MS had on his relationship. In a series of 1-2-1 music therapy sessions, Freddie Mercury-fan Richard updated the lyrics by adding a new verse about his life now.

The next step was to record the song. Maria worked with local musicians and formed a band exclusively for the project. Generous local donors raised funds to cover the costs of recording and producing the CD, some of whom were also affected by MS.

Concentrating on the changes Richard encountered as his life was changed so dramatically, revisiting ‘Why Me?’ has been a therapeutic experience for Richard.

Richard, commented: “Taking part in music therapy at The Chantry has had a huge impact on me. Getting used to attending day care wasn’t easy for me, but Maria’s sessions have been a great tool to allow me to settle in and make the most of the time I spend here. Sue Ryder Care has transformed many things for myself and my family and it would be fantastic to be able to raise as much as possible for them.”

Richard’s daughter Jenny has even designed a cover for the CD single, and the owner of the company she works for Healey's, an Ipswich-based printer, has kindly agreed to produce the sleeve for the first release of the CD.

The CD is now on the shelves on Sue Ryder Care shops across East Anglia. It is also available through popular Ipswich retailers ‘The Wharf’ and ‘The Purple’.

Sue Ryder Care - The Chantry in Suffolk runs a 1-2-1 and group music therapy sessions, which enable residents and day care visitors to communicate through music. 

Jo Marshall, Care Centre Manager at The Chantry, recently addressed colleagues about the benefits of music therapy at Sue Ryder Care’s Celebrating Success event. She said:

“We have seen some really great outcomes for attendees of our music therapy. Often people who have problems communicating verbally because of their neurological condition can express themselves freely through music and we feel we can reach them using this medium.

“It can lift mood and motivate individuals as well as calm and relax those that may often feel agitated. Even on a physical level music can stimulate people who are profoundly disabled to move limbs by responding to the music or using an instrument thus working helping with co-ordination and mobility.

 

 

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