Educational Media Reviews Online

The Healing Arts: New Pathways to Health highlights the inspirational work of three artists involved in the New Pathways to Health and Community, a regional partnership sponsored by the Vermont Arts Exchange & Massachusetts Cultural Council. This innovative program brings together teaching artists and people living with chronic mental or physical disabilities. The first segment of this quality film centers on Tod Machover, a musician and creator of the computer-based “hyperscore” music composition program, which allows people with mental and physical disabilities to communicate through music by composing original musical scores. Highly moving, the segment culminates with an entire orchestra playing a work created by a young man who has severe cerebral palsy. Next, the film focuses on the work of Peggy Rambach, a writer who teaches memoir writing to patients living with cancer—and to the staff members who care for these patients. The third segment highlights the work of dancer Michelle Pearson, who assists nursing home residents and caregivers to express their memories and feelings through movement. After watching this film, it’s clear that partnerships modeled after the New Pathways program could have a significant impact in communities across the country. Although brief in duration, the film’s empowering message is certain to have a long lasting impact on those who are lucky enough to see it—and walk away feeling inspired to make a difference. As a former occupational therapist, I would highly recommend that this film be viewed by all allied health, alternative medicine, and art therapy students and professionals. For more information visit the Massachusetts Cultural Council web site. Note: Be sure and have a box of tissues nearby when watching, this one is a real tear-jerker.