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HOME/Rare and Complex Conditions/We See Beauty, Strength, and Love in Our Music Video

We See Beauty, Strength, and Love in Our Music Video

We See Beauty, Strength, and Love in Our Music Video
November 24, 2014
Emma Wendland
7 Comments

(Editor’s note: If the video above does not display for you, please follow this link).

I love music. It has always had a strong presence in my life, so I knew that when I became a parent, I would incorporate music into my children’s lives as well.

I have played guitar since I was 10 years old and was trained in classical music.

But it wasn’t until I had our third child, Elias, that I realized the unique way in which music can connect people to each other.

Elias was diagnosed with Krabbe disease, a type of leukodystrophy that destroys the white matter in the brain, at eight months old. He went from nearly sitting on his own, eating crackers and saying “mama” and “dada” to losing most of his functioning. He became very weak, couldn’t eat on his own, and started having seizures.

As his development regressed, we eventually found our way to the neurology department at Cincinnati Children’s. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. It was a sunny, gorgeous day when we walked into the hospital, and I was hopeful about the outcome of Elias’s appointment.

But then I heard the words “severe” and “leukodystrophy” and tears made their way down my face. At the time we weren’t familiar with the disease but his neurologist explained to us that it is a degenerative genetic disorder that affects the nervous system. Symptoms typically appear around six months and most children do not survive past two years of age. They would do more testing to determine which type of leukodystrophy it was, as there are more than 40.

The contrast in the weather was symbolic to me – when we entered the building it was bright and sunny and when we exited it was storming. It was like the weather was matching my emotions and it was my tears that were falling from the sky. It rained for what seemed like weeks straight.

But as time passed and we came to terms with his diagnosis of Krabbe disease, I felt the clouds and the weight of it all melt away. I am paraphrasing of course, but we realized that we couldn’t stop living for Elias, our other children, or ourselves.

We relish every moment that we have with him because we don’t know how much time he has left. We have fun. We have dance parties in the kitchen. I picked my guitar back up again and we play music and sing together.

We discovered that music is the conduit for the most powerful connection with Elias. He cannot speak, see or move well. But he can hear and he loves music – it makes his eyes light up.

The StarShine Hospice Program helped foster this passion further. We met a music therapist named Brian Schreck who helps Elias play musical instruments. He will do things like place Elias’s fingers on electric piano keys and strum a ukulele. The joy in his eyes when he realizes that his fingers are responsible for that particular sound makes my heart happy.

Music allows Elias to interact with his environment and with us. When he hears slow and mellow music, his heartbeat slows down. When he hears upbeat music, his heart rate picks up, his eyes widen and he makes movements with his arms.

I think I have successfully incorporated music into all of my children’s lives. My 12-year-old daughter Livia is taking flute lessons and my 10-year-old son Leo is playing trombone (on top of our kitchen dance parties, of course).

So when we were approached by local musician Zak Morgan to gauge our interest in having a song written about our family’s story, there was no hesitation to participate. Not only would it be a time capsule in the form of music, but we saw it as a way to show our gratitude for the hospital that made us feel at home. Cincinnati Children’s has shown us nothing but kindness and compassion – from the sweet people who clean the facilities to the brilliant doctors. Doctors who involved us in every decision and made us feel like our opinions mattered.

So later into Elias’ diagnosis, Zak Morgan heard about our family’s story from a mutual friend and watched our Tell Me A Story. He reached out to me to learn more and that’s how the music video about our family came to fruition.

And it makes me so proud to see Elias in it. Children like Elias aren’t shown a lot in mainstream media. We hope that this video will help bring awareness and exposure for other children like him.

People like reading about happy endings, and while Elias might not have a happy ending, his story is worth sharing because it’s one of beauty, strength and love. Qualities that I think make great music.

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TAGS:
  • krabbe disease
  • music therapy
  • neurology

About the author: Emma Wendland

Emma Wendland has lived in Liberty Township in Ohio with her husband, Stephen, and their three children Livia, Leo, and Elias for the past eight years. She is a home care nurse and enjoys creative outlets such as sewing, cooking/baking, crafts with the kids, music, and spending time outdoors. She grew up in Sweden.

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Comments

Robert Mills November 24, 2014 at 3:34 pm

Emma it was great getting to meet you and Elias and the rest of your family. I love projects like this that feel like there is so much more to what we are doing than just filming a video. You are your family are inspirational and help show us all to slow down a little and appreciate the people around us. Thank you for letting Zak in and sharing a piece of your story, and for letting us film it.

Love Bob

valerie gaylord November 24, 2014 at 6:32 pm

omg! this is one of the best things ive seen yet! We are all blessed to know u and sisLina! angels among us! Love u girls and your families!

Lisa Berry November 25, 2014 at 6:17 pm

BEAUTIFUL Emma!

Camille Graham November 25, 2014 at 8:05 pm

You are so right – “Children like Elias aren’t shown a lot in mainstream media.” So glad you did this video to highlight the positive side of caring for a child with special needs and for helping us appreciate the simple little miracles of everyday life.

Will Clayton November 25, 2014 at 10:32 pm

Yes, this story is worth sharing. While heart-breaking– it is also heart-warming. I love that you were able to use music to bring joy to Elias and now to many others as well. We love Cincy Children’s Hospital. Because they helped save our daughter from stage four liver cancer. I love Brian The music therapist for the work he does. We got to know him during my daughters treatment as well. He and I played for my daughter together sometimes during her stays. I love the song and video. You guys did a great job, especially your son 🙂 Wishing your family the best.

Healing power of music brings family together - Cincinnati.com - Ad Hoc Dance Bands & Wedding Music December 25, 2014 at 10:20 am

[…] writes on cincinnatichildrensblog.org that Elias “went from nearly sitting on his own, eating crackers and saying […]

Healing power of music brings family together | Make Moolah Now December 25, 2014 at 2:32 pm

[…] writes on cincinnatichildrensblog.org that Elias “went from nearly sitting on his own, eating crackers and saying […]

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