Help me Brainstorm - Ukulele "therapy" for a hospital?

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tluxtele

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A few weeks ago I had a stem cell transplant, or bone marrow transplant (BMT). Not sure how much y'all know about those but I was in the hospital for 28 days total. I could have been in there longer but things have gone really well for me. When you're in for a BMT you can't leave the floor because of the compromised immune system. There was a few different things they try to do to help pass the time. One is they have a recreational therapist (RT) who tries to have activities to get people out of their rooms and moving.

One thing they have is a room where you can do puzzles, play games, etc. There is also a keyboard in that room. I had every intention to work on learning a little keyboard while I was there but never got around to it. Part of that is because the piano is a harder instrument. I started thinking, "It'd be nice if they had someone available for lessons. I'd take some lessons while I was in." That led me to thinking about the ukulele.

A basic ukulele can be had for a much cheaper price. There are some easy chords to get people started. And music is so therapeutic. I talked to the RT about the possibility of getting some ukes and having someone come in to give lessons to patients. She was super excited about the idea.

So here I am with an idea, and wanting to help out my local hospital (UNC Chapel Hill) but don't know where to go from here. Any ideas? Does this sound doable from y'all's experience? Any roadblocks to be aware of? Any ideas on how to get a few ukes donated?

I took my uke. I did a lot of walking. I took work. I kept myself busy. Even so, it was tough being in the hospital away from my family for a month. I want to try and bring a little joy to some of these other patients lives as they're stuck in the hospital for a month, or longer. Thanks for your help.
 
If your heart is in it, I'd say contact the nursing staff that's in charge of that play room on that floor. Volunteer to bring in a couple ukes and teach an intro class maybe a couple times per week. You know, you don't have to be "good" to be able to teach a noob a thing or two. You could maybe donate a cheap uke or two yourself. Or, if someone there has interest and money... either offer to go purchase one for them, or help them shop for one online. They're not hard to get, and I'd say a lot of people can spare $50-100 to buy a cheap uke to entertain themselves in such a situation. You might find that your patients/students could be a source for donated instruments. Just like yourself, if they find value in it... they may leave their "starter uke" behind, and/or offer to buy another instrument or two.

Do that, see how it goes. If it proves popular, THEN you approach the local music store and present it as a good PR opportunity. That's how you get the donated instruments.

You could try to put the cart before the horse and get the donated instruments first. But, if you've already got a proven program... it would probably be easier. Get them some press coverage out of it.

Last I checked, you could still get a quite playable cheap uke on Amazon for $40-60.

Everybody in the world has a cell phone, so just provide them with a link to a good tuner app. No need to buy tuners or worry about keeping batteries in them.

Just making a cheap uke and a little "noob instruction book", you could get a lot of people started even without lessons.

Step 1 - Download this app and tune the uke. (include some details about how to do that)
Step 2 - Strum. Congratulations, you just strummed an Am7 chord!
Step 3 - You know the drill... basic chords. Some kind of simple chord progression or song.
 
I have a
tluxtele said:
A few weeks ago I had a stem cell transplant, or bone marrow transplant (BMT). Not sure how much y'all know about those but I was in the hospital for 28 days total. I could have been in there longer but things have gone really well for me. When you're in for a BMT you can't leave the floor because of the compromised immune system. There was a few different things they try to do to help pass the time. One is they have a recreational therapist (RT) who tries to have activities to get people out of their rooms and moving.

One thing they have is a room where you can do puzzles, play games, etc. There is also a keyboard in that room. I had every intention to work on learning a little keyboard while I was there but never got around to it. Part of that is because the piano is a harder instrument. I started thinking, "It'd be nice if they had someone available for lessons. I'd take some lessons while I was in." That led me to thinking about the ukulele.

A basic ukulele can be had for a much cheaper price. There are some easy chords to get people started. And music is so therapeutic. I talked to the RT about the possibility of getting some ukes and having someone come in to give lessons to patients. She was super excited about the idea.

So here I am with an idea, and wanting to help out my local hospital (UNC Chapel Hill) but don't know where to go from here. Any ideas? Does this sound doable from y'all's experience? Any roadblocks to be aware of? Any ideas on how to get a few ukes donated?

I took my uke. I did a lot of walking. I took work. I kept myself busy. Even so, it was tough being in the hospital away from my family for a month. I want to try and bring a little joy to some of these other patients lives as they're stuck in the hospital for a month, or longer. Thanks for your help
Click to expand...
 
tluxtele said:
A few weeks ago I had a stem cell transplant, or bone marrow transplant (BMT). Not sure how much y'all know about those but I was in the hospital for 28 days total. I could have been in there longer but things have gone really well for me. When you're in for a BMT you can't leave the floor because of the compromised immune system. There was a few different things they try to do to help pass the time. One is they have a recreational therapist (RT) who tries to have activities to get people out of their rooms and moving.

One thing they have is a room where you can do puzzles, play games, etc. There is also a keyboard in that room. I had every intention to work on learning a little keyboard while I was there but never got around to it. Part of that is because the piano is a harder instrument. I started thinking, "It'd be nice if they had someone available for lessons. I'd take some lessons while I was in." That led me to thinking about the ukulele.

A basic ukulele can be had for a much cheaper price. There are some easy chords to get people started. And music is so therapeutic. I talked to the RT about the possibility of getting some ukes and having someone come in to give lessons to patients. She was super excited about the idea.

So here I am with an idea, and wanting to help out my local hospital (UNC Chapel Hill) but don't know where to go from here. Any ideas? Does this sound doable from y'all's experience? Any roadblocks to be aware of? Any ideas on how to get a few ukes donated?

I took my uke. I did a lot of walking. I took work. I kept myself busy. Even so, it was tough being in the hospital away from my family for a month. I want to try and bring a little joy to some of these other patients lives as they're stuck in the hospital for a month, or longer. Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
tluxtele- Godspeed on your continued recovery. I will raise you up in prayer. Your desire to help similar patients (and those with far worse outcomes) is noble and admirable. Long before I ever picked up a uke, I was hospitalized for a similar period of time, about 2/3 of it in ICU and I would have absolutely jumped at the chance to attend a uke class. It also seems to me that noise level should not be an issue. Earlier this year, while seeking industry-expert input on a uke product I'd developed and have since scrapped (vinyl decals with cartoon scenes in the shape of a soprano uke body), I swapped emails with a certified music therapist who is based in the Carolinas. She wouldn't have any reason to remember me but here is the website for the official non-profit music therapy organization in your area: https://www.ncmusictherapy.org/.
Kindest regards!
Clark
 
tluxtele - Glad to hear that things are going well for you, and you're back home now.

It's kind of you to think of those who will be going through similar extended hospital stays. I don't have any advice for you, since I know it's got to be complicated to get a program set up, (especially since Covid still exists - a concern for compromised immune systems for sure.)

Hospitals in my area have pulled the plug on various programs due to the pandemic, and so far, haven't reinstated the programs. (Some volunteer programs, some connected to a local university.)

I know from my days doing volunteer work at a VA hospital that there is a lot of red tape that is in place even for volunteers, so the hospital itself would be the best source to guide you on that type of thing.

But I think that it's a great idea to have a ukulele program, and hopefully it will help people get through that extended stay.

As others have said, if you can involve a music therapist, that might help get through the red tape and use their experience to get the program going.

So, though I don't have anything much to offer, in spite of a wordy post, I just wanted to wish you well.
 
There is a charity organization called The Ukulele Kids Club in Florida that works in conjunction with hospitals that have music therapy programs, providing free ukuleles to the kids in the programs, which they buy at a steep discount from companies like Kala and such. About 7 years ago the leader of my group and I spearheaded making donations to them on a regular basis from the members of my group, Cali Rose & The CC Strummers.

We linked up with the head of the UCLA/Mattel Children's Hospital music therapy program, and a few members of the group would make regular trips to the hospital, roaming the rooms playing for the kids, and the music therapist would present each with a uke garnered from our donations. We've donated over $9000 through the years.

That stopped when covid hit, but in the last few months as restrictions loosened up, we have been adding more donation money to our coffers and The UKC just worked out a deal with the head of UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital to at least provide ukes to be kept in that department.

I suggest you go to www.theukc.org and see how they might help with your ideas.
Michael Kohan in Los Angeles, Beverly Grove near the Beverly Center
4 tenor thinline cutaway ukes, 2 thinline acoustic bass ukes, 5 solid body bass ukes
•Donate to The Ukulele Kids Club, they provide ukuleles to children in hospital music therapy programs. www.theukc.org
•Member Cali Rose & The CC Strummers: www.youtube.com/user/CCStrummers/video, www.facebook.com/TheCCStrummers
 
Last edited:
mitchchang said:
Sounds like a job for an actual certified music therapist. Although I doubt they actually have one on staff
Click to expand...
Not really because you are talking entertainment and diversion and not therapy.
 
Contract the social work staff. Social workers make things happen.
 
Sorry for starting this thread and not popping back in. I spiked a fever and had to admitted to the hospital to be pumped full of antibiotics and monitored for at least 48 hours. I think it was closer to 88+ hours. Almost immediately after getting home I started dealing the the worst migraines I've ever had. They are most likely related to one of the meds I take. These migraines were debilitating. All I could do was lay in bed, cover my eyes and squeeze my head to try and deal with the pain. I've finally got some migraine medicine that seems to be working. This was the first morning I've felt good and I'm trying to get caught up on things... such as this thread. I wanted to at least let y'all know I'm still around. I'll be dealing with individual posts later tonight, or tomorrow (assuming I'm still feeling good).

Thanks so much for the help and ideas you all have posted. I knew you wouldn't disappoint.
 
tluxtele said:
Sorry for starting this thread and not popping back in. I spiked a fever and had to admitted to the hospital to be pumped full of antibiotics and monitored for at least 48 hours. I think it was closer to 88+ hours. Almost immediately after getting home I started dealing the the worst migraines I've ever had. They are most likely related to one of the meds I take. These migraines were debilitating. All I could do was lay in bed, cover my eyes and squeeze my head to try and deal with the pain. I've finally got some migraine medicine that seems to be working. This was the first morning I've felt good and I'm trying to get caught up on things... such as this thread. I wanted to at least let y'all know I'm still around. I'll be dealing with individual posts later tonight, or tomorrow (assuming I'm still feeling good).

Thanks so much for the help and ideas you all have posted. I knew you wouldn't disappoint.
Click to expand...
Oh my goodness! That is quite the roller coaster you've been through. I am so sorry to hear you were laid low so badly. I am glad that you are, as of time of writing, feeling better, and I really hope that you continue to improve. Thank you for taking the time to check in when you were finally feeling better.
 
LorenFL said:
If your heart is in it, I'd say contact the nursing staff that's in charge of that play room on that floor. Volunteer to bring in a couple ukes and teach an intro class maybe a couple times per week. You know, you don't have to be "good" to be able to teach a noob a thing or two. You could maybe donate a cheap uke or two yourself. Or, if someone there has interest and money... either offer to go purchase one for them, or help them shop for one online. They're not hard to get, and I'd say a lot of people can spare $50-100 to buy a cheap uke to entertain themselves in such a situation. You might find that your patients/students could be a source for donated instruments. Just like yourself, if they find value in it... they may leave their "starter uke" behind, and/or offer to buy another instrument or two.

Do that, see how it goes. If it proves popular, THEN you approach the local music store and present it as a good PR opportunity. That's how you get the donated instruments.

You could try to put the cart before the horse and get the donated instruments first. But, if you've already got a proven program... it would probably be easier. Get them some press coverage out of it.

Last I checked, you could still get a quite playable cheap uke on Amazon for $40-60.

Everybody in the world has a cell phone, so just provide them with a link to a good tuner app. No need to buy tuners or worry about keeping batteries in them.

Just making a cheap uke and a little "noob instruction book", you could get a lot of people started even without lessons.

Step 1 - Download this app and tune the uke. (include some details about how to do that)
Step 2 - Strum. Congratulations, you just strummed an Am7 chord!
Step 3 - You know the drill... basic chords. Some kind of simple chord progression or song.
Click to expand...
All some really great ideas. I will say I won't be able to do anything with it for a while. I don't know how much you know about BMTs but I can't be around people unless I have to because I don't have much of an immune system. My system has been completely rebooted. All the vaccines I got as a kid are gone and I will have to get them all over again... starting in a few months and going through the next two years.

I'm taking notes on all of your other ideas. They are great. Thank you.
 
Oldscruggsfan said:
tluxtele- Godspeed on your continued recovery. I will raise you up in prayer. Your desire to help similar patients (and those with far worse outcomes) is noble and admirable. Long before I ever picked up a uke, I was hospitalized for a similar period of time, about 2/3 of it in ICU and I would have absolutely jumped at the chance to attend a uke class. It also seems to me that noise level should not be an issue. Earlier this year, while seeking industry-expert input on a uke product I'd developed and have since scrapped (vinyl decals with cartoon scenes in the shape of a soprano uke body), I swapped emails with a certified music therapist who is based in the Carolinas. She wouldn't have any reason to remember me but here is the website for the official non-profit music therapy organization in your area: https://www.ncmusictherapy.org/.
Kindest regards!
Clark
Click to expand...
Thank you so much. It's hard being in the hospital that long... especially ICU. I've spent limited time there and don't ever want to go back. Oncology rooms so far seem to be the best. They try to make it like home... but it's still not home. Sorry for whatever put you there, but glad you're doing ok now. I'll take a look at the link a little later.
 
Joyful Uke said:
tluxtele - Glad to hear that things are going well for you, and you're back home now.

It's kind of you to think of those who will be going through similar extended hospital stays. I don't have any advice for you, since I know it's got to be complicated to get a program set up, (especially since Covid still exists - a concern for compromised immune systems for sure.)

Hospitals in my area have pulled the plug on various programs due to the pandemic, and so far, haven't reinstated the programs. (Some volunteer programs, some connected to a local university.)

I know from my days doing volunteer work at a VA hospital that there is a lot of red tape that is in place even for volunteers, so the hospital itself would be the best source to guide you on that type of thing.

But I think that it's a great idea to have a ukulele program, and hopefully it will help people get through that extended stay.

As others have said, if you can involve a music therapist, that might help get through the red tape and use their experience to get the program going.

So, though I don't have anything much to offer, in spite of a wordy post, I just wanted to wish you well.
Click to expand...
So Covid did change things, but the Recreational Therapist seemed to be very happy at the possibilities of something like this. Since posting here I talked with one of my former students who recently graduated. He was part of the ukulele ensemble at UNC all four years. He's still in touch with the leadership and asked them if any of them would like to volunteer if we can get something up and running. He's got a few UNC students who are ready to help out. I just have to start connecting everyone. hopefully the Rec Therapist doesn't run into any of the red tape you talked about.
 
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