Picture: Margaret recites poem to Helena Chief Executive of Lost Chord
To witness a person with dementia speak for the first time during a Lost Chord session is tangible, powerful and emotional for all to see.
Radio 4 listeners generously donated £20,000 to the Lost Chord appeal in December.
All the money raised always goes directly to funding the monthly therapeutic musical sessions, where we encounter some amazing responses from people who often can’t walk, talk, feed themselves or communicate in any way. The music evokes memories from their long lost past giving thoughts of happy times in their lives. We often experience people with dementia speaking for the first time in months or years.
People who show no response to anything else, remaining slumped in chairs, will suddenly come to life with a familiar piece of music. Carers will often comment that someone who is normally quite aggressive and hasn’t smiled in months, actually sit smiling from ear to ear throughout the whole session.
I visited a session in Rotherham with soprano Rebecca Dale and pianist Chris Taylor where I met Margaret. Rebecca’s singing of wedding related songs brought Margaret to life and she delighted us all by recounting her wedding vows which she gave in the form of a poem. She could remember every single word and it brought her so much joy. I managed to take it down. Here it is.
Margaret’s wedding vows:
I mark the days one by one, hoping that it won’t be long
Before I mark a certain day, yes my darling our wedding day
No fuss, no bother just a quiet do, an ice cream tea and a pint or two
Because, when I hear you say ‘I Will’, the tears of joy my eyes will fill
On my finger a ring will come, a symbol of love that will never die
I will love you all my life, Love and kisses from your future wife
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