Musical Minds on NOVA Features Partner' Son

Submitted by Kathy Giordano, Class of O4.

June 30 at 8pm on PBS (in Rochester), NOVA will be showing the Oliver Sack's documentary, Musical Minds, that features Matt. (See the brief news article below.)

I hope that this show will bring more awareness to large numbers of people (NOVA is the most watched PBS show.) You may want to encourage people you know (relatives, neighbors, teachers, Dr's, therapists, etc) to watch. It's a fascinating show about how brains work and the impact that music has on people with disabilities.

To find your local schedule click here.

Check out this promo video.

Here is the item that is on The Advocacy Center Website:

Local Percussionist Matt Giordano to appear on NOVA

by Pam Merkle

Musicophilia, a book by Oliver Sacks, is the inspiration for an upcoming episode of the PBS series NOVA. On Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 8 pm, NOVA will feature "Musical Minds - Oliver Sacks explores how the power of music can make the brain come alive."

In this show, Dr. Sacks explores how the power of music can make the brain come alive, how music affects the brain and how it can impact some neurological disorders.

Rochester area percussionist, Matt Giordano, and his mother, Kathy, appear in the show. Matt, who has Tourette syndrome, talks about the impact of music on his life. Matt, pictured here, recently performed at The Advocacy Center's Night of Hot Jazz and Cool Art.

Dr. Sacks is also scheduled to appear on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on Monday, June 29, 2009 to discuss his book.

Matt runs a music business and holds drum circles as team-building for businesses and also for people with disabilities. To learn more visit Drum Echoes.

Partners Gathering

Some of the Rochester area Partners Grads who attended the Night of Hot Art and Cool Jazz for The Advocacy Center this June.

Ann Kurz, Class of '05

People from the Partners classes of '06, '07, '08, and the regional splinter class in Long Island in 2008 will recognize Ann as one of the speakers at their Partners sessions. Ann and Kathy McCarthy-Proulx (fellow Partners grad--1994--and full-time advocate from The Advocacy Center, pictured above)have presented on the importance (necessity) of a compelling personal vision in creating quality lives for people with disabilities.

Over the past couple of years Ann has shared in those sessions that life in her condominium in a highrise was quite isolating. She shared her vision of living in a home in a neighborhood with things like greater access to the outdoors, and more contact with neighbors.

You will all be happy to know that Ann closed on her "house in a neighborhood" last fall and after renovating it for accessibility she and her cat, Tia moved in this spring--and the parties have already begun. (The photo is from a dinner she hosted for high school friends recently.)




Ann continues working on the new house, a most impressive--and accessible--ramp to the front porch were added this week.

Everything begins with VISION!