I want to share a music therapy hospice story with you that profoundly effected me as a practitioner. During my time as a hospice music therapy I had developed a strong connection with in his late 50's, who was recommended for hospice because of multiple life threatening illnesses. He was a former musician, roadie for Hall and Oats, and a life-long "Dead-Head." He could no longer play his instruments due to numerous fingers being amputated, and could no longer sing more than a few words because of shortness of breath. His dying wish was to write a song for his daughter. I went about once a week, and acted as his scribe, voice and instrument. Together we completed his wish, and recorded it before his final days. While he was actively dying, I was able to play the recording for him of what we had accomplished. Despite his debilitated status, he was able to verbally respond. He said "That's so cool, man! Come over next week and we can finish it." I assured him it was finished, and that he could now rest. I then played the song live for his loved ones, and his daughter who had returned from California. He passed away the next morning. After he passed, his daughter made a YouTube video tribute to him using the song. She gave me permission to share it with the world. Here it is. I hope you enjoy! The recording is of me playing guitar, and both he and I singing.
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