Border SONIC choir member and stroke survivor Craig Martin, 65, has been with the group since it began five years ago. The choir will perform a special concert at the Thurgoona Community Hall on 26 May. Photo: Supplied.
When Craig Martin had a major stroke at the age of 53, it robbed him of his ability to speak, read and write.
Years of intensive rehabilitation followed but it was tough going and after COVID he’d really had enough, his partner Gonda Hekkert says.
“It can be very isolating,” she explains. “Craig was quite a bit younger than the age you think people would have strokes …”
While his intelligence was not affected, Craig’s stroke resulted in damage to the parts of the brain that control language and the ability to find the right words (aphasia) as well as the ability to co-ordinate your mouth to say them (apraxia).
“Stroke survivors struggle to be able to find words to get their message across,” Gonda says. “Craig can make some sounds but after 12 years, he’s become great with his body language and facial expressions.”
Losing the ability to be able to communicate clearly can be as frustrating as it is isolating, but one of the things Gonda learned about stroke disorders was that while Craig might have lost the power of speech, he could still sing.
It’s one of those strange phenomena where, because music and language are processed in different parts of the brain, a person can recall and sing words – even if they cannot speak them.
The pair had met speech pathologist Marion Vile and (later) Dr Libby Clark through speech therapy and rehabilitation channels and when they heard the two women (who share a love of community singing) were forming a special choir, well the decision was easy.
Five years later, Border SONIC (Stroke and Other Neurological Impairments Choir) is going strong and will celebrate its fifth anniversary with a concert open to all on 26 May at Thurgoona Community Hall from 1:45 pm.
Border SONIC members during a choir session at Thurgoona Community Hall, where they meet most Tuesdays. Photo: Supplied.
Marion, who spent 15 years at Albury’s South West Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service working with adults with traumatic and acquired brain injury, says the idea for a choir came about as a result of her job and own love of singing.
She has witnessed first-hand the physical and social impacts of stroke on patients and their loved ones, particularly aphasia which affects up to 40 per cent of stroke survivors.
“Some people are only mildly affected while others can be completely non-verbal, and that can be very isolating for them if they can no longer communicate with friends and loved ones,” says the now-retired speechie.
Initially Marion and Libby started with an aphasia choir but soon broadened its scope to swell numbers, welcoming people with Parkinson’s, MS, those with an acquired brain injury or any acquired neurological condition.
Currently there are about 25 choir members, including spouses, carers and a group of dedicated volunteers, many of whom have a background in rehabilitation or allied health. This dedicated team prepares each session, types up lyrics, practises songs to work out harmonies and locate backing music.
The choir meets every Tuesday at the Thurgoona Community Hall where there’s an hour of singing followed by afternoon tea.
“It’s a noisy occasion,” Marion says. “It’s a very supportive group and for some people it’s their only visit out for the week. It’s not just about singing together – this is a huge source of social support.
“There is a real joy for us in being able to bring people together to network, make friends and make a great sound.”
The therapeutic benefits of singing are well-documented, according to Marion.
“Research has shown that singing in a choir for just one hour boosts levels of immune proteins in people and reduces stress and improves mood,” she says.
But the real magic lies in seeing people who have been rendered non-verbal being able to sing the words of well-known songs.
The choir’s current top hits include We Will Rock You, Que Sera Sera, Down by the Riverside, Yellow Submarine and Under the Boardwalk.
They’re even working on some two and three-part harmonies ahead of the May concert, Marion adds.
“Because music is located in the right side of the brain, compared to speech and language (on the left), we find people with aphasia, who may have difficulty speaking in everyday conversation, will be able to sing and annunciate the words to a song,” she says.
“For people with Parkinson’s disease, singing is a form of exercise that can help weakened mouth and vocal muscles. It’s very motivating.”
Border SONIC choir. Photo: Supplied.
Certainly the smile on Craig’s face when he returns home from Tuesday singing sessions is proof enough of the power of music to lift mind, body and soul, according to Gonda.
She says SONIC has become Craig’s “happy place”.
“They all do such a great job; it’s all very professional but they also have a lot of fun,” Gonda says.
“There’s a real sense of belonging and the feeling that you are not alone. And when you put all those voices together, it’s amazing the sounds they accomplish. There’s a real pride and joy in doing it together.”
More recently Craig and a few other choir members have broadened their singing horizons to attend Albury’s Soden’s Hotel pub choir events.
“He loves a beer,” Gonda laughs.
“Whenever he comes home from singing I know he’s had a really good time.”
The choir meets Tuesdays at 1:45 to 3 pm at the Thurgoona Community Hall, 10 Kosciuszko Rd, Thurgoona. For more information visit Border SONIC on Facebook or contact Marion on 0425 852 702. Border SONIC will celebrate its fifth anniversary with a concert open to all on 26 May at Thurgoona Community Hall from 1:45 pm.
