Do you love music?
Do you love music? Special Needs children and adults are very receptive to music and how it soothes their soul. Some say that music brings us into harmony with God . . . and I agree! There are many musical genres that delight and inspire us. With each one that is discovered, there are a seemingly endless number of others waiting to be revealed and enjoyed by music fans around the world. Some say that music brings us into harmony with God, soothing our souls.
If you love listening to music, you’re in good company. Charles Darwin once remarked, “If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music.” Albert Einstein declared, “If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician.” Jimi Hendrix called music his “religion.”* Recent research shows that listening to music improves our mental well-being and boosts our physical health in surprising and astonishing ways. If you studied music in school, sang in the choir, played an instrument or performed in Christmas programs, you understand what I am saying. And for all those parents and grandparents, they also shared in the joy.
Katie singing a song at a Knights of Columbus picnic. She really likes the stage!
With Katie, pop music is at the top of the list. From the age of 5 - 15 it was the Wiggles. Next came One Direction and Big Time Rush. She loves other genres also, like opera in Phantom of the Opera. Favorites come and go, but as long as drums and guitars are prominent, she is all in!
Playing the guitar is one of Katie’s favorite thing to do when company comes or even at church for our parish priest. Of course, here she is playing “air guitar” just hiking on a trail in New Hampshire.
Psalm 100:1 A psalm of thanksgiving.
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; 2 serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful song. 3 [b]Know that the Lord is God, he made us, we belong to him, we are his people, the flock he shepherds
Drawing by Michelle White of cousin Jerry Schubert. Not for sale. Private collection.
”Katie with Violin” is an image that depicts my daughter, Katie, at age four who has Down syndrome. No, she does not play the violin, she is just “playing” with the violin. I caught her doing this one day and just had to capture it. Sizes are suitable for framing in standard frames. Product DOES NOT INCLUDE MAT OR FRAME. Purchase mat separately. Reasonably priced with free shipping to continental USA. The image is a black & White print in one size. small 5” x 7”. On Sale $10. Regularly $20
MYTH: PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME ARE ALWAYS SICK.
TRUTH: People with Down syndrome are at an increased risk for certain medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, respiratory, hearing problems, and thyroid conditions. Advances in health care and treatment of these conditions have allowed most individuals with Down syndrome to lead healthy lives.
When Katie was born she did have a congenital heart defect. At five months old she had open heart surgery at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. The surgery was a success