Choir ‘ gives a little back ’ with $ 1000 donation
From left ( with choir members in background ): Parkinson ’ s Society Community Educator Glennis Best , Bay of Plenty Parkinson ’ s Society President Christine Mercer , Brainwave Singers choir member Helen Hough , Brainwave Singers founder and BOPDHB Speech and Language Therapist Robin Matthews .
A special choir which helps people find their voices again has made a $ 1000 donation to a charity close to its heart .
To mark Parkinson ’ s Awareness week , last month the Brainwave Singers donated $ 1000 to the Bay of Plenty Parkinson ’ s Society .
The choir uses singing to improve speech and communication in aphasia ( stroke ) sufferers and to delay neurological conditions like Parkinson ’ s .
Choir founder , Bay of Plenty District Health Board ( BOPDHB ) Speech and Language Therapist Robin Matthews says , “ The Parkinson ’ s Society has supported us over the years so this is just giving a little something back .”
Robin launched the choir seven years ago ; it currently has about 70 members .
“ The choir members are so committed to it and just love what they ’ re doing ; they get so much out of it . It ’ s physiotherapy of the voice ; singing as therapy .”
President of the Bay of Plenty Parkinson ’ s Society Christine Mercer says the money would go towards the important work carried out by the society ’ s community educators .
“ The choir has made an incredible difference to people ’ s ability to project their voice and to help prevent choking which are both issues with Parkinson ’ s .”
“ Another element is the tremendous community aspect of the choir , being with like-minded people , so understanding each other if you ’ re having an off day for example . It ’ s so important to so many people ,” says Christine .
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