Harmonizing with Humanity: Helping Special Needs Families to Heal Through Music

A few weeks ago I was sent a link from a dear friend of mine. Normally, I don't usually follow links unless I (a) Implicitly trust the source and (2) have a deep-rooted interest in the cause or purpose. I know that makes me sound snobby but, like many of you, I just don't have alot of time to spend online these days. But the link was sent to me by Lori Fankhanel, Founder/President of SPDCanada and the cause/purpose was special needs families. I had to check it out.

"Check this out," Lori said in her email. "And be sure to have Kleenex handy."

The link was to a YouTube video and...well...let's just say I am so glad to have had that Kleenex handy. The song was called, "The Life That's Chosen Me," written by Grammy-nominated singer, Karen Taylor-Good (pictured above), with Lisa Aschmann, and performed by Karen for the first time in Orlando December 9th, 2008 for a roomful of parents of exceptional children. Let me tell you, you don't have to be the parent of a special needs child to be touched by this song. But those of us who are such parents will feel it's meaning deep in our souls.

The same day I contacted Randy Grossman, Vice-President of the Harmonizing With Humanity foundation, and set up a time to chat. Let me tell you that conversation changed my entire perspective. Let me back up a bit....the morning I'd heard the song I felt discouraged and frustrated. I'd found out the day before that Jaimie wasn't getting the help she needed in school--even though I'd been told she was. Although Jaimie had been doing so well academically, she was (and still is) at the same age socially, even younger, than my four year old daughter, Jordhan. I sought inspiration from somewhere that morning and received it in a form I always had in the past: music.

The song I'd heard uplifted me and filled me with a new hope I hadn't felt in a long time. And I wanted to help Randy with his quest in helping other parents and caregivers. Randy understands what it's like...he knows the frustration, the battles, the struggling with getting assistance...because he's been there. The father of two autistic boys of his own, he understands what it's like to have a child with needs and empathizes with what it's like to need help and not be able to get it. That, as well as an incident that had happened to another parent while he dropped his own children off at school one morning, is what inspired him to start Harmonizing With Humanity.

This phenomenal group of artists and musicians, called "positive musicians," created a beautiful album with rich, gorgeous songs with positive messages. The most amazing thing is that all the proceeds from the album go into a "pot" that individuals and/or organizations--who cannot gain assistance from any other source--can access. In my opinion, God is truly working through this amazing man and his wonderful group of talented people. What can be more sensational that a bunch of people using his or her God-given gifts to help others?

For my part, I have applied to help create a widget of my own through Randy's foundation so I can help to raise money for the SPD Foundation to further their research to help children like my Jaimie. I've included the widget here but, please, visit my site and get to know Randy and his crew; visit his site and get to know him; and please...help to spread the word any way you can.

Thank you everyone for your support. And thank you Randy for leaving your imprint in the souls of many. In the words of my daughter, Jaimie, "I love this music, Mama. It warms my insides."

What else is there to say after that?

Please visit my website(Look for the Harmonizing With Humanity page on the "Inspirational People" section.) for complete details on how to purchase these amazing songs and make a difference.