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04. Arizona Museum of Natural History

streetpiano // Feb 29, 2016 at 10:22 pm

Mesa

Community Group: Phonetic Spit. Artist: Tomas Stanton. Donated by: First United Methodist Church of Mesa. Sponsored by: Two Men And A Truck.

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Mesa (retired)

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My Facebook and Blog Post about my son's journey...that lead him to this piano last week. THANK YOU ALL who have provided this opportunity! The story can also be found here: https://prayforandrew.wordpress.com/2016/03/29/about-andrew-finding-his-voice-in-many-ways/
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This photo is so poignant, so moving, to me. As we close out Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, I wanted to share it. It happened to be taken on CP Awareness Day last week, which is why he is wearing green.

When Andrew was born, he had torticolis of the neck. His neck would slump down on his left (affected side) shoulder. Because of this, he did not recognize his left side. He was right handed when he started physical therapy at 4 months of age. Children are not supposed to be “handed” at that age. We did many hours of daily stretching and exercises for a very long time to strengthen his neck and to get him to recognize his left side. So much so that he is now LEFT handed, even though CP affects his left side primarily.

Andrew did not speak in a way that others could understand until he was 3 years old. He wanted NO part of learning sign language…as in his mind he was speaking, so why did we not understand?! This was just before the Ipad came on the market that has some amazing augmentative communication apps now (that I think he would have flourished with much quicker). We had a pretty rudimentary talking photo book with pictures of main topics and items and he could turn to the photo and push the button to play the name of the item or short phrase he wanted to express.

It was a really frustrating time for all of us. Andrew is really intelligent and he had so much he wanted to share…but he just could not get it out. Enter…the alphabet! Once Andrew realized that when he put those letters together we understood what he was saying, he took off! Before he could speak, he could spell over 200 words. He would write what he wanted us to know — on paper if we had it — in the dirt at the park — in any way possible. Finally, he could speak his heart…and FINALLY we understood (mostly)!

Now…Andrew is learning to play piano. He can read music a little bit and plays evenly with BOTH hands!

In Mesa, AZ they have placed pianos throughout the downtown area. While we were waiting in line with hundreds of people on Friday for the Easter Egg Hunt at the “Dinosaur Museum” (Arizona Museum of Natural History), Andrew sat down and played several songs for the crowd. We were so proud of him and he did a great job.

When I saw what the side of the piano said, I teared up…reflecting on how that phrase means so much in Andrew’s life … and means something quite different in the lives of others.

“I write to speak my mind even when my voice shakes.”

They are likely referring to writing music. In Andrew’s life it was literal…for a very long time.

Thank you, Lord, for helping Andrew find his voice in many wonderful ways!

Thank you all for your continued prayers for Andrew’s healing and progress!

Kellie Burkhart // Mar 31, 2016 at 5:13 pm

This is the 17th piano on my quest. This one had a dead key. A quick check and I snapped the wood nut onto the key lever and it was back online. This is Bob Dylan's "Mr Tambourine Man."

Rick Chappell // Mar 31, 2016 at 11:11 am

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Piano #17 on my quest

Rick Chappell // Mar 31, 2016 at 11:10 am

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This one had a stuck key - took just a second to fix.

Rick Chappell // Mar 31, 2016 at 11:09 am

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DeAnna at the Keys Shanty in Old Shanty Town

DeAnna at the Keys Shanty in Old Shanty Town // Mar 20, 2016 at 11:20 am

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Absolutely love Street Pianos. I've played 3 different nights through my jazz tuned and met such great people. My favorite piano is this one by the museum because it is loud and a bit honky tonk!