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Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (3:19)
Kelly Lawman - Jamaica Plain, MA
Every Tuesday my eighteen-month old daughter and I take a music class together. Last fall we switched from our kids only class to a class that is part of the Rogerson House day program for elders in early and mid-stage Alzheimer’s and other dementia. I have to admit that I was a little intimidated by the idea at first. I didn’t have much experience with dementia and didn’t know how my daughter would react.
Sister Brigid, who is in a very early stage of decline, was one of the first people we met at the Rogerson House. She has an infectious energy that instantly drew us in and put us at ease. Others were more quiet and withdrawn. A few seemed to doze off. Then the music started and hands and toes started tapping. A woman named Ellie, who is in later stage Alzheimer’s, stood up to dance. Faces lit up, immediately bringing moms, children, and elders together. It was incredibly moving.
Over the course of the six months or so that we’ve been attending the class, I’ve learned more about the disease and how music and children can help a person moving through dementia connect to joyful memories. I can see that although it doesn’t change the fact that the disease will progress, it does make a difference in the lives of the elders who attend the class. And it’s so much more than that. I have also seen that the experience changes the moms and kids. Maybe it’s a softening to the process of aging. Maybe it’s a greater appreciation of our own parents and grandparents. Or maybe it’s a better understanding of community that helps us recognize that it takes a village to care for both our children and our elders.
Whatever it is, I now cannot imagine taking our music class anywhere else. I feel very attached to our little music group and I know that my daughter is too. She loves to hold hands with her friends young and old, and she doesn’t leave without giving hugs. I think one of the best things I can do for my daughter is to help her become a good citizen and this hopefully marks one small step along that path.
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Beautifully shoot
Great look, great story and the images are beautiful and moving.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
What a wonderful and important program. I hope others are given a chance to learn about it.
twinkle twinkle little star
I found this so moving. My mother had dementia and I wish there had been a group like this for her. Thanks for sharing this with us all.
Rogerson music program
It was wonderful to see young children and elders sharing a love of music and connecting with each other.
twinkle, twinkle...
Wow What a HUGE difference in just their faces when they were listening to the music, and observing the children. It's almost as if they had awoken from the dream. What a heartbreaking disease... hats off to all of you who are raising awareness for an illness that affects so many. It's well done and a beautiful segment. We look forward to seeing more in the future.
twinkle twinkle
great movie in so short a time - I want to learn more!
Twinkle on and on!
What a bunch of fresh faces! Am, too, am eager for the sequel. Brigg's (sp?)comment about the comfort in knowing where we are going loomed large for me. I remember always watching for that in adults when I was a child. The ones who could play or smile or loved animals or loved music - already had it made in my book.
The power of music cannot be overestimated.
Thanks for this powerful, simple statement about what really connects!
twinkle **
Music - the power of gentle. great job Kelly. let's have a follow up to this.
twinkle twinkle
I am fortunate to work at the day program and was able to watch this touching video during its production.
A lovely piece.These children truly "connect" with the partcipants in our community here at Rogerson House day program. Let's hope that other's follow. Well done ladies!
Rogerson Communities
I just started working at Rogerson Communities, and I'm amazed at the great work people do here. Kudos to Kelly Lawman for bringing this program into the spotlight!
Lovely
What an amazing experience for all involved, and also to share with all of us through this magical medium. Thank you!
twinkle twinkle
What a moving and enlightening piece!
To hear the words spoken by an advocate who is gradually declining herself, and capture her spirit as well as show the joy and beauty still inherent in these "gone away" humans is enlightening and informs us that there is something we can always do to touch another.
wow
it's amazing that short form documentary can communicate so. i think you actually got me tearing up. really nicely done and glad to see an all-female crew!
Twinkle Video
Thank you for sharing this video with the world!
music therapy/ education for all ages
wow, this was a very moving video. it's amazing how the music is both educational and experiential, a medium for communication and a means for expressing simple emotions. what a great initiative to involve the elderly - especially those suffering from dementia - in kindermusic programs. just amazing.
Very inspiring
I hope this piece helps other such collaborations take off.
Twinkle
What a wonderful experience for all alike. Thanks for creating the video. It brought smiles into my day!
Tinkle
What a sweet and wonderful video! Keep up the great work.
sue
This video gave me a wonderful insight into the possibility of community. It made me long for music, and family, as I grew up with it too. Sister Brigid's comments helped me understand a bit more about this potential. A great little piece.
Twinkle, twinkle little star.....
What a joy and moving piece. It is amazing to see the intergenerational joy that this program brings! A very well done video that highlights it's backdrop and it's subjects with equal importance. Brava!
twinkle, twinkle little star-
Very well done video! From personal experience,I can attest to the importance of, and success with, this type of intergenerational program.
Tinkle
I think this type of program is the future. Almost as important as clinical trials. This story gives me a terrific feeling of hope. Well done!