The impact music therapy has on kids at HSC Children's Hospital
A service at the Health Sciences Centre Children's Hospital has been bringing hope, smiles and dance moves to patients and their families for the past 25 years.
For two-year-old Karson Snow, the soundtrack of his life has been the beeps and hum of medical equipment.
"We spent eight months in Edmonton, Alberta for cardiac surgery and then the rest of our time has been here, minus a week in Toronto," said Karson's mom Mindie Snow.
Karson has spent every day of his life except for two inside a hospital.
"He's had heart surgery. He's been trach and vented so that's why you don't hear him cry ever. We've been working on feeds and he also has Hepatoblastoma, which is live cancer."
But whenever Cecilia Bellingham walks in with a drum or guitar, Mindie said Karson lights up and wiggles with happiness.
Bellingham started the music therapy program at HSC Children's Hospital 25 years ago.
"Through music, it gives some calm, peace. It helps soothe, it helps to highlight and celebrate any little success or response," said Bellingham.
The goal of music therapy is and has always been minimizing the impact hospitalization can have on development.
In 2021, HSC recorded more than 3,200 music therapy visits.
Bellingham said in her time doing the program, she has noticed there are more children like Karson who need longer stays.
She said music therapists are trained to encourage kids to express themselves and interact with sound.
"That is so important here because they're not feeling well, they're not around family and friends, they're not in a familiar environment. They might be scared, they might be in pain and so sometimes it almost feels like we're putting 200 per cent of energy just to get a little response," said Bellingham, noting she had instances where parents have told her it's the first time they have seen their child smile in weeks.
For Mindie, she said Karson just loves the music.
"It just brightens your day. It just makes you happy. It's the best thing that's happened to Karson for sure," said Mindie.
Karson receives music therapy twice a week and Mindie feels the effects of the therapy will last much longer for him.
"I could see him playing piano for sure. He's got long piano fingers and he's always strumming around on the guitar too. So I think it will be a large part of his life."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
developing Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.