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Continued from page 5 died, the Room 217 Foundation is a non-profit, regis- tered Canadian charity that has produced — so far — 12 unique CDs of comforting music, each carefully de- signed and recorded with both science and the soul in ind. “At the heart of it, and still when I’m recording in the studio, in my mind’s eye I see a person in a room that is dying. That fuels me,” says Bev. “It energizes me to think that the music could be used in this way.” But Room 217 resources — each CD with a different flavour and target audience — have far wider appeal. “We now have 38 reported applications of how the music is used,” explains Bev, who savours the personal stories from people who have used the steadily expand- ing collection in various ways. “There are a number that touch me deeply,” says Bev. “One hospital uses it during an organ transplant when someone dies, they were looking for something that would segue the experience. Those unexpected sto- ries are the cherries on top. Another very touching one was a gentleman whose wife had died. They played the music for her as she passed, but they also used the music at the graveside.” In fact, hit the link to the testimonial section at www. room217.ca and you will read stories that range from a 61 year old man with advanced frontal lobe dementia, who stopped the frenetic pacing in his room for the first time in months when Room 217’s Country Roads came on - toa colicky baby named Matthew who dozes off to Emplevnent a Room 217 CD, much to his mother’s relief. “The intention is to support both the caregiver r\n} Services '— __ is now located at pS 119 Perry St.,| and the care-receiver,” ex- Unit 3, plains Bev. “Caregivers are Port Perry so anxious and strung out For more information about that Room 217 helps them our services, please drop bs too. Caregivers listen to it our new location or callus at | on the w: ay to treatment or in bed. It can wash over people, it’s like a self care bath for the caregiver.” ‘We look forward to seeing you. Joe Gibson, Blackstock 905-213-2583 www.budgetblinds.com/ portperry 6 FOCUS - FEBRUARY 2012 02. FEBRAURY 2012.indd 6 And there is solid science behind these melodies. Bev’s bibliography of mostly academic articles from scientists around the world presenting proof of music’s amazing ability to impact our bodies and our spirits is well over 100 references long on Room 217’s web- site — and growing. An annual Music Care Conference or- ganized by Room 217 attracts scientists, musi- cians and caregivers alike, including such high profile names as Barenaked Ladies’ Steven Page and Cana- dian music icon Dan Hill. This year, the conference is being held in Frederic- ton, as well as Toronto. “We're very excited,” says Bev. “There’s just such incredible interest from all over the country. We're hoping to have caregivers interested in using music in care, people who may have a mom with Alzheimer’s or a son with special needs, just looking for how they can use music more effectively.” This year will also bring a second boxed set of CDs from Room 217 and the groundwork for a sing-along CD to be released in 2013. “That will be for those with mild cognitive impair- ments, We are targeting early dementia, which will be a huge thing for our aging population, but we are doing it ina therapeutic way,” explains Bev. “Like any charity, all of our vision is dependent on dollars. We're grateful that there is such a huge return on investment for those who donate to Room 217. Because we sell what we're doing, they can help us make it, and when we sell it, that gets turned back into the vision.” It’s a vision named for numbers on a door in a hospi- tal in Uxbridge, steeped in family love, and dedicated to making life better with the gentle sound of music. “This is a social enterprise and we are the only ones in the country doing it,” says Bev. “We're pioneering, there’s no question about it.” By Karen Stiller Focus on Scugog Taylor Ford Sales is pleased to welcome JON WAITE to our Parts and Service Team 12-01-28 8:56 AM