Paul
“It feels like a blessing to have discovered Raukatauri.”
These were the words of Paul’s daughter Nikki when asked about her father’s music therapy sessions. From being a performing guitar player to running music venues to managing rock bands in New Zealand and Australia, music was always essential to Paul’s life. His diagnosis of early onset dementia resulted in him struggling to speak and unable to live independently, but the music remained. Nikki went on to say:
“One of the great privileges afforded to both dad and us as a family, has been to watch dad, a passionate musician, continue to engage with music in a meaningful way, through his sessions at the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre.”
The team at Raukatauri was honoured to be a part of the last years of Paul’s life. When Paul first came to us, he and his old band mates would gather in the front room of the centre and, supported by the therapist, either improvise or play their old songs, whatever suited Paul on the day. Later, when Paul became frailer, the music therapist would travel to his rest home to see him for their weekly session, where Paul would continue to greet him with a smile and a salute upon arrival. These sessions continued until just weeks before Paul’s death in 2020, although the lessons that he taught us about joy and connection through music continue on.