One of the most amazing experiences about traveling to Chiang Mai was being able to see the great things that are happening in the health care systems there. Music therapy is growing!
First, we visited the Rajanagarindra Institute of Child Development that was recently built. One of the coolest things about the center was the toy closet. Every child that goes to the center has the opportunity to choose from a large assortment of toys that will target specific goals that will improve their development. The parents are then taught how to play with their child so they can get the optimum use out of the toy and bond with them.
Dr. Register explaining a specific toy.
Traditional Thai toys as well as Western.
Inside the lobby of the center is a giant panda playing the violin. Inside the eyes of the panda is actually an office.
A corner of the center is designated for the music therapy program that is starting there.
Each room has a piano!
The center not only has a music therapy program, but also speech therapy, art therapy, physical therapy, and drama therapy. The entire facility is cute and welcoming. The best part though is that the building is shaped like a piano!
The next day we visited the hospital that is part of Chiang Mai University. Dr. Register has been in contact with a Doctor that started a music therapy program and we went to check it out! A wonderful presentation was given, and then Dr. Register gave a spiel about what we do, in Thailand and in the states. Then we were invited to see a music therapy session with stroke patients. All 19 of us filed into an elevator when the max capacity being 15 (this is very common in Thai culture). The elevator made it so close to our destination, but right before stopped suddenly. We broke the elevator.
We were all pretty close together, and those who suffer from claustrophobia were not having as great of a time as the five us were.
Luckily, we had several Thai speakers on the elevator with us that were able to call for help and after only 20 minutes we were on the second floor, watching a music therapy session. The session was similar to something you would see in the states. Many of the patients were playing shakers and doing movements by following a leader at the front. The songs were all familiar/popular Thai songs with actions. The only major difference is that all the music was recorded, as opposed to live. It was wonderful to see such an amazing response from the patients and the love from the music therapy staff.
After the session was over Dr. Sagri (the one who started the MT program) showed us a room that had all the supplies they use for music therapy. The room was huge. There were at least four keyboards, a drum set, several guitars, cabinets filled with hand held instruments, amps and microphones. Immediately my head started firing off ideas. There are so many possibilities with the equipment they have, and so much could be done with the clients there!
I would absolutely LOVE to return to Chiang Mai and help the program there progress. Maybe one day!
The 14 of us with Dr. Sagri!
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