Music therapy brings a little magic to recovery
Kiefer McQueen has loved performing for as long as she can remember. She sings, acts and dances. Now aged 13, Kiefer is harnessing her creativity to help her process the psychological effects of being ill through charity-funded music therapy.
Four years ago, Kiefer was admitted to Evelina London’s intensive care unit with headaches, lethargy and seizures. For four days, the hospital’s specialist team worked round-the-clock to provide life-saving care.
Following a series of tests, she was diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis, a rare condition that causes inflammation of the brain. Over the next few months, her incredible team worked tirelessly to develop her treatment plan and support her recovery.
“It was very serious, and I missed quite a bit of school. I’ve had a difficult time. But my care has been really incredible. I can remember every little thing, and everybody was absolutely amazing,” said Kiefer.
Although Kiefer received incredible care, the trauma of becoming so ill has led her to develop another condition, called Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). FND affects how the brain receives and sends information to the rest of the body and can cause non-epileptic seizures.
To help Kiefer work through the challenges she’s facing, she has received regular support from a specialist FND service. This year, she’s also started having music therapy as an Evelina London outpatient. Each session helps Kiefer to explore her emotions and express herself through sound and music.
“When I’m playing with the instruments, I can express my emotions in a calming way. At the beginning, I was really struggling. Then I found this new way of expressing myself –and it was working! It was like magic. It was really something special!"
For Kiefer, this type of therapy has helped her to open up and share how she’s feelings in a way that suits her creative personality. It’s an opportunity for Kiefer – and many other children and young people – to connect and feel understood without using words.
“Sometimes it’s difficult to find the words… Talking is not the only way for a message to be given. Music is another way of communicating. With music therapy, my feelings really do come out, and it makes me feel better. It makes me less stressed,” said Kiefer.
Kiefer’s mum, Imogen, has also noticed the positive impact of music therapy on Kiefer.
“Kiefer had talking therapy but sometimes found it difficult to recall her emotions in the moment. Music therapy has been great – it’s helped to break down some barriers and created an open space,” said Imogen, Kiefer’s Mum.
None of this would be possible without Hannah Hayes, Evelina London’s dedicated music therapist. Hannah has helped to put Kiefer at ease, adapting to Kiefer’s needs and encouraging her at every step.
Whilst Kiefer feels she has a long journey ahead of her, she is starting to feel more hopeful about her future.
“I think it’s important that people understand that things don’t just go away, unfortunately. But things can slowly improve, and that is something that I didn’t really think was possible when I started music therapy. I’ve just noticed myself slowly coming back, which has been great,” Kiefer shared.
Thanks to our brilliant supporters, we’re helping Evelina London to go that bit further. We’ve funded two additional days of music therapy every week, which has given Hannah the time to work with more patients like Kiefer. With charity funding, up to 15 more children and young people can experience the joy, creativity and compassion of music therapy each week.
“Through charity funding, I’ve been able to reach even more patients who need support. I work creatively with other clinicians across Evelina London, such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists, to meet patient outcomes and goals.”
Children and young people like Kiefer often remember a visit to hospital for the rest of their lives. Together, we’re supporting them to come to terms with what they’ve been through, and to heal.