Tonight my family and I attended a very special concert. It was put on by Jeni's music therapist, Sarah Quinney, and her mother, Amy Quinney. Amy teaches piano and had several of her student's perform. Sarah is a music therapist and several of her clients performed on the piano, guitar, and vocals. It was so cool to see these kids and young adults given the spotlight and being supported by everyone there. People with special needs are so often pushed aside, ignored, and often treated with disrepect. Seldom do others take the time to get to know them, to look past the obvious and to see their uniqueness, their own personality, talents and intellect. Tonight was about celebrating what each one is able to do and to applaud that very best effort. There were no prizes, no competition. No one thought, "my kid did so much better than yours", no one worried, "my child didn't do as well as her." It was an uplifting and encouraging evening. At the end of the concert, Sarah sang, with the voice of an angel, "God Help the Outcast". There weren't many dry eyes, for it struck a chord with most of us there. I for one am so thankful for the things I've learned at the hand of a child with special needs. I'd give anything to keep her from having to fight the battles ahead, but at the same time, I wouldn't change a thing about her - she's perfect.
Jeni singing I'll Fly Away tonight. Sarah singing God Help the Outcast. Hope you can take the time to listen.
