Musical Bites

After a much-anticipated reunion with Dr. Oja, our visit to Jordan University Hospital finally began. It had been a while since our last collaboration, and I was eager to dive back into the rhythm of working together. We started the day with physical warm-ups and connection exercises, creating a positive and harmonious atmosphere as we moved from room to room.

The second room we entered on this Tuesday morning carried an air of stress. Inside, we met Basem, a young boy dressed in yellow, sitting on his bed. Surrounding him were his mother and a dietitian, with a tray of cucumbers, hummus, cheese, and olives placed before him. Despite their gentle encouragement, Basem seemed puzzled and uninterested in eating.

The dietitian suggested we interact with Basem to help make the experience more enjoyable for him. Dr. Oja and I approached the tray and began improvising a playful song, incorporating Basem’s name and the food items. As we sang, his mother dipped a piece of bread into the hummus and offered it to him. Gradually, Basem began responding, opening his mouth to eat as we continued singing.

The room came alive with joy as Basem’s engagement grew. His mother and the dietitian, visibly delighted, asked us to stay until he finished his meal. We happily obliged, adding verses to our song and dancing along. By the time we left, Basem was not only eating but also smiling. His mother and the dietitian had even picked up the song, humming it as they encouraged him.

Later, Basem followed us into the corridor, his mother expressing heartfelt gratitude, sharing that our playful intervention had made all the difference. Witnessing this moment of transformation was truly magical, a reminder of the power of connection and creativity in healing.