Voices In Motion is a hugely important organization that deserves support. Let me
tell you why I believe this so strongly.
Every morning when my partner wakes, she asks me what is going to happen today.
And every Friday morning, September through May, for the past six years, I have
witnessed her joy and excitement when I tell her it’s a choir day.
In a world that’s now moving too fast for her, Voices In Motion is a haven — a place
where everyone understands her challenges and supports her participation. It’s a
place of joyful singing, learning and community. A place where she doesn’t have to
try to cover her memory loss and confusion, where she can relax and just be herself.
Research shows that singing in a group has important cognitive, emotional and
psychosocial benefits. I see it every time she perseveres and learns the music
despite not being able to learn many other things. Her sense of accomplishment and
the boost to her self-esteem are wonderful medicine.
She gets to breathe deeply and express herself through song. She gets to share her
voice, her enthusiasm, her wisdom and her humour. She gets to contribute. That’s a
rare experience in her world.

I believe all these things are slowing the progression of her dementia. As well as
supporting her cognition, the choir allows her to keep up her social skills and
develop friendships and a sense of community. This is so important to help her
avoid the depression and isolation that hasten the decline of so many people with
dementia.
And for me as a care partner? Voices In Motion is a place where I, too, can relax
because I don’t have to explain or shield my partner from odd looks or uninformed
responses. My life is becoming more and more about caring for my partner and my
social network is shrinking to include those who understand what we are dealing
with. So the choir has become my community, as well. I depend on the support and
information sharing that takes place in informal chats during rehearsal or in the
on-line support group for care partners. And I get all the wonderful benefits of
learning, participating and most of all — singing!
For as my partner tells the choir almost every week, “Singing is a birthright”.

Sincerely,
Margot Johnston
Chorister, Voices in Motion Choir