Art by Ben Doukakis

In my magical rock n roll adventures over the years I have witnessed music change lives, my life, my friends’ lives and the lives of total strangers.

A little story…

My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s several years ago. While western medicine has been able to help my mum to a point, during her most recent appointment her doctor told us ‘Unfortunately we’ve exhausted all the possibilities (his possibilities meaning medications) and there isn’t really anything else we can do for her so don’t worry about booking another appointment with me. I can’t really help her unless something else becomes available.’ Hearing this made me livid! I went through anger, sadness, and anger again. I decided to look for something else to help my mum. I just knew there had to be something out there to help or at least make things more comfortable, and her days brighter. I decided to seek out ‘alternative’ therapies to try to help.

I looked into colour therapy and sound therapy among a million other things. In my quest I came across a not-for-profit agency called The Institute for Music & Neurologic Function (or the IMNF). The IMNF combine music and science to promote healing and wellness. Its mission is:

… dedicated to restoring, maintaining and improving people’s physical, emotional and neurological function through the systematic use of music. The IMNF furthers its mission through treatment, research and education.

The IMNF is supported by the likes of the ever-lovely Moby, the B-52s, Beastie Boys, Coldplay and more!

Let Moby give you a heads up:

To learn more about music therapy check out Musictherapy.org or experience it first hand for yourself by taking a journey through your record (MP3 or CD) collection, noticing your moods, how you’re feeling etc. when you listen to your tunes.

A lot of importance has been put on the perception and performance of music over the years, it’s refreshing to see individuals such as Moby and the Beasties support a different aspect of music.

While my mum’s condition is still deteriorating rapidly, I’ve found music makes things better, if only temporarily. When my mum listens to her Billie Holiday or Reba McEntire CDs she grins like the biggest kid, from ear to ear. And for me, those little golden moments are priceless.

Make some noise today!

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Tags: b-52s, beastie boys, coldplay, healing, IMNF, moby, music, music therapy