"What Music Therapy did to George" is written by Celeste S. Sanchez. Its about her experiences with Persons with Disabilities. She has reached out to individuals with autism, down syndrome, visually-impaired, speech impaired, tone deaf, cerebral palsied, Intellectually challenged, Mentally challenged, multihandicapped, paraplegic, stroke survivors and senior citizens to express themselves through Music Therapy.
Notable persons speaks about "What Music Therapy did to George"
Dear Mrs. Sanchez.
I read with great joy your book, “What Music Therapy did to George” The experiences which you have generously shared as Music Therapist for special people will indeed inspire a lot of parents, teachers and those who work with and care for special children.
The stories are lovingly filled with detail that would be appreciated by people who find themselves faced with similar challenges and circumstances.
In behalf of the DSWD, I would like to express our gratitude to you for taking time to write these accounts. There is a great need to document cases like these to be able to give people guidance and above all, hope.
I look forward to hearing more special concerns and recitals. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Corazon Juliano-Soliman
Secretary
DSWD
Mrs Celeste S. Sanchez has once more proved that “Music is the language of the heart, soul, mind and body.” Her experiences which she shared through the book have demonstrated that music can do “miracles to people who need them. People like our brothers and sisters with disabilities.’
The National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons congratulates Mrs. Celeste S. Sanchez for the very inspiring ways of sharing her dedication and commitment for the well being of people with disabilities.
The book is a “gem” to people, organizations, and government that have vision and mission to see our brothers and sisters become mainstreamed members of our society.
Catalina L. Fermin
Executive Director
National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons
This book is one series of success stories proving how mercy can achieve impossible missions. It shows how faith based commitment can realize the wildest dreams of parents for their special children through loving perseverance based on true mercy.
Through various activities motivated by mercy, shyness and inferiority becomes self-confidence and growth. Fits of anger change into self-controlled behavior. Wild attitudes develop into socially acceptable attitudes. The self-centered open up for others in complete confidence.
The author is a most capable musc therapist and shows how music can make wonders. However, music alone will not trick. The book reveals the indispensable characteristic the therapist needs: mercy.
The author prays to the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ and became herself mercy filled. It is this mercy that keeps her going, changes the person with disabilities to self-confident capable adults and most of all changes society to be full of mercy for all our brothers and sisters.
Fr. Luke Moortgat, CICM, Ph.D
Executive Secretary
Episcopal Commission on Health Care
(Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines)
This book is remarkable on several levels. First, as a valuable series of ‘case studies’ on how particular people have grown and developed under the patient guiding and leading of a dedicated “mentor.” Second, how music does serve beautifully as “therapy.”
Reminded me of something I once read in a great big book about Banking... in which a survey (conducted among people who had undergone psychiatric treatment, and had healed) listed the following main reasons as to why they got well:
“because he believed in me.”
“because he let me make my own decisions”
“because he listened to me”
“because I learned to laugh with him – I love his humor”
“because he cared”
Quite obviously, Celeste S. Sanchez knew how to heal... with her music and her love-giving.
On still another level, the book again gives testimony to the intrinsic worth and value of each individual. How each is endowed with gifts by God that only require our “eyes to see and hearts to appreciate”... for them to bloom into the unique masterpieces that God intended them to be from all eternity.
Celeste is a gift of God to all of us. May her tribe increase.
Mr. Armando Baltazar
Executive Director
MCO Foundation, Inc.
One-of-a-kind Treasure
Doris G. Nuyda
Columnist
Philippine Daily Inquirer
As she writes of people who have come to her center for Music Therapy, Celeste S. Sanchez reveals the spirit which has moved her in her undertaking. While it involves teaching the blind, deaf and other challenged individuals, many of them children, to appreciate musical sounds and rhythms within their limited spheres, she teaches them at the same time to understand these through faith, hope and love.
She herself has poured out her measure of faith, hope and love in her work. It is difficult anyone can see that, but how filling, she always adds. Celeste S. Sanchez is one-of-a-kind. We must treasure her.
