Federal Way students help make music and happy memories

Fund-raising by students at Federal Way Public Academy is helping the Wesley Homes Des Moines Health Center Music and Memory program for Alzheimer’s patients.
The students collected $433 and used iPods for the use of developing personalized music playlists that are uploaded to iPods and played through headphones. The music helps those with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease interact with their surroundings.
The students met at the Des Moines facility with Wesley Homes chaplain Michael Byrd, who talked to them about the program. They later witnessed the program’s effects firsthand, watching one woman dance, bob her head and laughe while listening to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Another woman clearly recalled lyrics and sang along to her beloved hymns.
“We all enjoy music, which is overwhelmingly associated with positive memories,” Byrd said. “It has an emotional impact on us, but more importantly, our brains have the ability to retain it. This program is a significant way to help memory-impaired people restore their sense of self, even if it’s for a short while. It’s a joy to to share this with the students.”

Michael Byrd, the chaplain for Wesley Homes, accepted the proceeds of a music program fund-raisng drive from Federal Way Public Academy students Gillian Zilke, Macheddie Baker, Asiya Ahmed, Kahlan LaVergne-Carlsan, Dawn Dale and Ashlyn Bagocius (from left).
Michael Byrd, the chaplain for Wesley Homes, accepted the proceeds of a music program fund-raisng drive from Federal Way Public Academy students Gillian Zilke, Macheddie Baker, Asiya Ahmed, Kahlan LaVergne-Carlsan, Dawn Dale and Ashlyn Bagocius (from left).