Adapted music program earns SEASPAR an award

An Adapted Music Lessons program for people with disabilities earned the South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation a program award at the annual conference of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association and Illinois Association of Park Districts in Chicago.

SEASPAR's Adapted Music Lessons use specialized sensory instruments to enable participants with limited mobility to make music. The program is conducted in the SEASPAR's Wonders Multi-Sensory Room at the Lisle Park District.

The first student in the program, 33-year-old Paul Bures of LaGrange Park, is non-ambulatory with extremely limited mobility, and uses his chin to play touch pad instruments and a microphone to sing. He now participates in the lessons year-round, and they have developed his interest in music, improved his gross motor skills, and increased his vocal strength.

At SEASPAR's annual Holiday Spectacular talent showcase in 2015, Paul gave his first solo performance before an audience of 250 people. He performed the song "Fruitcake" by The Superions. When The Superions were shown video of Paul's performance, the group responded with the message, "This is amazing! Paul did an incredible job performing our song 'Fruitcake.' Thank you all so much for sharing this. We are honored!"

Paul also performed at the 2016 Holiday Spectacular.

Another program participant, 12-year-old Ram Tibudan of Woodridge, has limited mobility due to cerebral palsy. Ram plays a glockenspiel on the touch pad instruments while being assisted hand over hand.

Ram's twin brother, who has no mobility impairments, plays along with his glockenspiel, and his two cousins bring their flute and guitar to lessons, creating a family band.

Ram gave a solo performance at SEASPAR's Holiday Spectacular in 2016, playing "Believe in Yourself" by *NSYNC with the assistance of the program instructor, recreation coordinator Greg Pavesich.

"When we were first introduced to the adapted music program, we were not sure how Ram would be able to handle it," said Ram's mother, Shalini Tibudan. "Mr. Greg made changes to meet Ram's accessibility needs. He made it fun. Ram and the family look forward to seeing Mr. Greg every week. He wishes he could go every day."

For information about SEASPAR's recreational programs and services for individuals with disabilities, visit seaspar.org or call (630) 960-7600.