Comments for Rachel's Blog

Comment on Singing for the Brain Training by Michele Vining

Michele Vining — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:13:07 +0000

Hi Rachel
I am a student social worker currently on a placement with older adult mental health and am looking to get some information about Singing for the Brain as i am looking to help set one up in Alderney, C.I. I was looking for training courses and any other information that you may be able to point me towards which might help me to get started.

Many thanks

Comment on Drama for Dementia Patients – Channel 4 News Report by Liz

Liz — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:14:56 +0000

Im a drama student at the university of winchester, and i have started doing something like this myself in a local residential home. I love this sort of work and would love to be part of something bigger, with a group of people perhaps one day. I love this vid clip, i had tears in my eyes to know that some people really make the effort to bring drama to older poeple. two enthusiastic thumbs up!

Comment on National Poetry Day by Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:54:29 +0000

Hi Martin, thanks for your comment – I first came across this poem in the anthology I mentioned, edited by Daisy Goodwin. I’m afraid I don’t know anything more about it! It might be worth contacting the editor or the publisher Harper Collins… Good luck!

Comment on National Poetry Day by Martin

Martin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:52:42 +0000

Hello – I came across your entry via Google. I am trying to establish whether the version of Dickinon’s “If I could stop one heart from breaking” that you quote (the one that reads “Or help one lonely person” etc.) is actually hers, or has been altered by someone else. It strikes me as odd that the metaphor (“fainting robin” etc.) has been removed from that version, it seems ‘simplified’ somehow, and I cannot find it in any anthology of Dickinson’s works. Do you know more about this? Thanks so much,
Martin

Comment on Facilitating Singing for the Brain by catherine

catherine — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 03:26:06 +0000

Hi Rachel,
I learned the powerful effect of singing on the brain a year ago as my sister Susanna was dying of ovarian cancer that had metastastcized to her brain.
It had become increasingly difficult for her to communicate with us. One day as our brother was sitting with her she decided she needed to remember “words” to take with her to Heaven. As she was struggling to think of any words, he suggested they try to sing the words. A wonderful Holy Hootenanny ensued with Susanna joyfully singing along, her singing-mind remembering what her speaking-mind could not. Isn’t it amazing, the power of music?
I have since then been wanting to sing with people with brain damage or dementia. I learned about this program, but am not seeing anything about using it here in the US. Do you know of any programs in the US or how I might get something started here?
Thank you so much for any help you might give me.
Catherine

Comment on Where To Begin? by Michael Wallace

Michael Wallace — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 21:35:26 +0000

Hey there I just wanted to take the time to say I enjoyed reading your blog.

Comment on Singing for the Brain Training by MarjoryBrechin

MarjoryBrechin — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 09:44:49 +0000

Hi Eliza. Having heard of Singing for the Brain I have finally got round to try to find out about it for my Mum. Notice you had no response to your request but wonder if you have found any information through other sources. I would be delighted to hear from you.

Comment on Confident, Committed, Convincing by jason @ soundproofing

jason @ soundproofing — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 17:11:57 +0000

Being convincing isn’t something that can be faked.
You either believe in what you are doing or you don’t. And if you believe in the piece that you are doing, then all the better.
True belief comes from within and the instrument (including the voice) helps show what you believe in.
(Have I used the word believe enough? I believe so!)

Comment on Singing for the Brain Training by Eliza Langland

Eliza Langland — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:47:09 +0000

Having been told about Singing for the Brain – and livng in Edinburgh and caring for my mother who is suffering from some dementia but who LOVES to sing – I’m very keen to contact Sheila and am unashamedly doing it through your blog, Rachel. Like Lynn, above, I would love to know more asap. Can you or anyone who reads this who can help, get in touch with me please? I’m emailable through my website. I see the email address will not be published. Very exciting work.

Comment on Drama for Dementia Patients – Channel 4 News Report by John

John — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 17:53:33 +0000

I’ve been following the fortunes of this group and think they do great work. I am an Activity Coordinator in a Care Home in Scotland and hope to get some actors interested in a similar project here.