A former patient's return brings the joy of music
By Louise Kinross
Reede Parisi is a popular sight when she appears at Holland Bloorview with a guitar strapped to her back and a cart full of shakers and drums.
“Music is really fun for the kids, especially if it comes after a difficult therapy session,” says Parisi, who is a music therapy student from Wilfrid Laurier University doing a placement at the hospital.
Music therapy is a no-pressure zone, Parisi says. “There’s no wrong note a child could sing or wrong way to play music. Music therapy is about the kid. The kid has full control over the session and I’m there to support them in achieving their goals. It’s relaxing and a mental-health booster for a lot of the children.”
Parisi is interested in working in children’s hospitals when she graduates in the fall. That’s because she spent a great deal of time at SickKids Hospital and Holland Bloorview as a baby and child.
“I was born with a lot of complications, and I was an inpatient baby here at Holland Bloorview," Parisi says. "Then I did outpatient stuff till I was about 14. I think working in children’s hospitals is my way of giving back for what was given to me during my hospital stays. I felt I could connect with kids on a deeper level because of my own experiences.”
Singing became a big part of Parisi's life when she took voice lessons as a child. “We focused on classical music, but I loved everything, as long as I got to sing.”
She pursued business at Wilfrid Laurier "as a safe choice," but took a minor in music. It was during an introductory course in music therapy that she says she found her calling. “We learned about a bunch of theories and ways music could help people. I had that light bulb moment where you go: ‘This is what it’s like to know what you want to do for the rest of your life.’”
Parisi leads music groups at Holland Bloorview and also works with inpatients in our music studio and at the bedside. “When I started working here a lot of people said that because I had been a patient it might bring up some emotions from my past. I didn’t find that. What was eye-opening was seeing the emotional side from a parent's perspective. I realized that that’s what my parents went through. That was the hardest thing for me, understanding the behind-the-scenes of what the parent is doing and feeling.”
When Parisi was an inpatient, her parents stayed with her at the hospital while her siblings were cared for by family eight hours away in Timmins, Ont. “It was challenging in that way,” she says.
Parisi says “everything about my placement brings me joy. The greatest joy is the look on a child’s face when they do their thing for the first time. Let’s say their goal was to kick a drum. The first time they’re able to do that their face lights up. I’m always so proud of every one of my clients.”
Parisi says it can be challenging if a child she works with is in any kind of distress. “I have a great support system here, and my supervisor Eunice Kang is super supportive. I’m comfortable talking with her about any emotions that come up for me. We do debrief after most sessions, and we have a weekly supervision where we debrief about everything.”
Parisi says she’s learned so much from Kang. “She’s amazing to watch. The way she works with her kids is captivating to watch and listen to. She’s amazing at what she does, and I could watch her all day.”
One way Parisi manages stress is through baking. “I’m an avid breadmaker,” she says. “I’m really good at making buns and I make bagels too. I always have a jar of yeast on hand.”
Parisi says talking to her parents and partner on her way home from work is another way she relieves stress.
She hopes to work as a music therapist for a year somewhere in North America when she graduates. Then she’ll consider pursuing a master’s degree.
“I’ve heard so much positive feedback from inpatients and outpatients about music therapy at Holland Bloorview. Kids really love it and they come back for it.”
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