The healing power of music

Is music truly a tonic for good health? The Weekly meets three people struggling with very different health problems to whom music gave a new sense of hope and a whole new lease on life.

- JENNY BROWN

With an angelic smile, Boston Inia is banging his toy drum loud enough to wake the devil. The nonstop noise seems calculated to make any parent snap, yet his mother, Tara, simply smiles as her three older sons join in.

“It gets pretty crazy around here,” she grimaces, fondly rolling her eyes. “Look at Boston go! He’s like a typical two-year-old, a real little s**t-head. You know, those toddler tantrums. He says ‘no’ when we’re out for a walk and just sits down … but we’re so proud of him.”

Born with only half a cerebellum – a region of the brain integral to motor control – plus a myriad of other genetic disorders, Boston was never expected to walk or talk, let alone thrive. Doctors who had seen Tara’s prenatal ultrasounds had urged her to have a termination as soon as possible because her baby would be so severely disabled.

Today, that curly-haired cherub has a developmental age of around 22 months, although he just turned five. Yet, like the hero of The Little Engine That Could, Boston somehow surmounts the toughest obstacles and keeps chuffing on.

Music therapy – harnessing the age-old power of melody, song and rhythm to enhance his communication, memory, social and movement skills – has been key to a truly remarkable transformation. What’s more, Boston views it as fun and looks forward to every session.