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Sisters of song

Trio brings joy of music to extended care patients


Northern News Services

Yellowknife (May 14/03) - By the time their hour is up Theresa Crane, Dawn Lacey and Esther Braden have 11 of the 12 extended care patients gathered around them, hanging on their every note.

Even the nurses can't help but listen in as the three music lovers sing their weekly repertoire of old favourites.

Crane, Lacey and Braden are fondly known as the Songbirds at Stanton Territorial Hospital. Every Wednesday at 10 a.m., the trio can be found at the extended care unit entertaining a small group of patients.

"They're so happy. It brings joy to their lives to have music," extended care unit clerk Vicki McKay said of her patients. "Their faces light up when the music starts."

Extended care patients suffer from everything between dementia and cancer. When Crane and Lacey raise their voices to sing along with Braden's piano music, something flickers in the patients' eyes.

"We watch and do the songs that really do something for them," explains Crane as she surveys the room looking for a spark of recognition.

Toes tap, heads sway and some join in. One chipper patient even dances along with Crane while singing You are My Sunshine.

"We try to have a little visit with each of them. If they're asleep it's a matter of rubbing their hands and rousing them," said Crane.

Braden said music is one of the last things a dementia patient remembers.

She was the first to volunteer her musical talents, starting to play at Aven Manor about seven or eight years ago.

Five and half years ago Crane, a retired choral music teacher, joined Braden in her mission to spread the music.

Crane's husband had been in extended care after a heart attack. He later died and Crane wanted to help others in extended care.

"Music is very powerful," she said. "When Esther asked me, I decided I could do this."

So Crane and Braden would visit both Aven Manor and Stanton's extended care unit spreading their songs.

Three years ago the duo became a trio with Lacey. Lacey is a member of the local folk band Ceilidh Friends.

Lacey's mom had passed away a year earlier in an extended care unit in Saskatchewan.

"There were people who would come and sing and I was always grateful to them because I couldn't be there," said Lacey.

She said although her mother had lost the power of speech, she could still sing in harmony. The gift of music had meant so much to her mother because it gave her an opportunity to express herself again.

It's that same gift the three continue to bestow on the local patients every week.

"I don't think there's anything I'd rather do then sing," smiled Lacey.