No one likes to visit the Doctor’s office, it can scare even the toughest of adults.
8-year-old Evie Hurst is terrified of doctor’s visits, her past experience of them hasn’t been anything much to write about.
But a visit to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has changed her perception of them completely, all thanks to music therapist, Emma Wymer, who helped her face appointments without fear.
Evie was adopted from China and her parents are still trying to learn more about her medical history, which is a bit of a mystery.
Evie was recently at the hospital for an Electroencephalogram, seizure testing. She was crying in terror as the nurses hooked her up, she couldn’t see anything. as she was born without eyes.
8-yr-old Evie, who is blind, was anxious about a procedure involving seizure testing. But everything changed when our music therapist walked into the room.
Posted by C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital on Thursday, February 21, 2019
A video of her in the hospital showing Evie completely transformed, as Wymer asks Evie to sing “Scars to your Beautiful,” which happened to be her favorite song, shows her calmed and relaxed as she sings.
The hospital wrote on Facebook, “8-yr-old Evie, who is blind, was anxious about a procedure involving seizure testing, but everything changed when our music therapist walked into the room.”
Wymer said that it wasn’t easy, “Especially not being able to see what’s going on and already having fear of medical professionals. It definitely was a sense of calmness that rushed over the room,” she said, “Just to see her flip a switch and see calm overcome her.”
She further added, “It did kind of take me by surprise. While I think all kids’ voices are beautiful … I think Evie’s voice really shined in this instance because she has a unique cheerful, positive voice. To hear this 8-year-old’s voice … was a pretty amazing thing.”
POWER OF MUSIC: 8-year-old Evie uses music as therapy
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For some, it's therapy dogs… for others, it's writing. But for 8-year-old Evie Hurst of Midland, it's music that calms her down.Singing helped her get through recent testing at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and her mom captured the whole thing on video.
Let me introduce you to the beautiful and talented Evie!
Posted by Amanda Chodnicki TV on Wednesday, February 20, 2019
We must appreciate the hospital for acknowledging the power of music and implementing music therapy there.
Mostafavi said, “Music therapists provide different interventions to help children and their families — everything from pain management and helping children relax during procedures to teaching kids to play instruments.” It has clearly worked in favor of Evie and next time she will be there she won’t be afraid.
“The two formed quite a bond by the end!” Mostafavi said. “Evie even went home with her own ukulele (with Braille stickers to help her find the chords) that the family asked Emma to sign.”