
INSPIRED BY BOB D
Marcia's cherished friend Bob
D has been the catalyst for the creation of Moving Melodies.
"When I first met Bob through Michigan Peaceworks in 2003, he was 79 and already long active in Veterans for Peace. When he was 81, he led the peace float in the Ann Arbor 4th of July parade, using a walker because he had recently had surgery. When he was 83, he helped me to rototill my front lawn so that it could become an urban vegetable garden. He is an inspiration to me (and to many others), and we bonded over our shared passions for peace and fresh produce.
"In 2011, Bob was diagnosed with early dementia. As my
dear friend slid into a depression, I searched for some tangible way to help
him feel better. While researching 'best practice' activities for
people with dementia, I discovered that dancing
and making music were the most beneficial activities for enhancing brain
functioning and mood. As a professional dancer and musician, I was ideally
equipped to develop a participatory arts program for my friend, which I happily
proceeded to do.
"Bob
and I have done weekly Moving Melodies workshops for more than a
year now. We've discovered that he has a good singing voice, and despite having no
previous experience, he can dance with great feeling. Bob is able to sing seven songs from memory, and we dance together to two songs. We have co-created four verses about his life that we sing to the tune of "You Are My Sunshine." It is obvious that Bob enjoys the sessions and gets a feeling of accomplishment from being able to learn something new and do it well."
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