Please Support Lauren’s Mission: Healing Through Sound.

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My Documentary ShortDear Friends,

Anyone who knows me well knows how much end of life care means to me. It’s a calling born out of a strong desire to provide service to those who have lost their voice. But it’s more than that. I know personally, how it feels to be cut off from the people you love, and words have lost their meaning. I too have suffered… from depression. I need to be clear, this is not about playing the victim because even depression has a silver lining— it has brought me here, to this work, and to you.

I’ve devoted my career to improving the quality of life for our elderly population by using live music as a tool to combat loneliness and social isolation. In 2022, I studied to obtain my hearing instrument specialist license, which I was awarded last April. It was not an easy feat but it has given me the credibility and the knowledge to deepen my understanding of how music acts as an auditory stimulus to improve brain health.

To be able to use my gifts with music and hearing health to help others is a way to feel whole again. It gives my life meaning and helps others do the same. After two years of being away from my craft with music, I understand more clearly than ever why sound is so important to human connection. Without it, we self isolate and die. We need connection like we need air. Hearing loss is an insidious, silent killer. It separates us from the people we love. It also takes away our voice to be able to live and to die on our own terms.

So now I ask for help. Something that’s never been easy but is also a sign of self-compassion.

In order to get back into the field of hospice and palliative care, I will be providing hearing tests for those exhibiting social withdrawal and/or depression, a consequence of untreated hearing loss, often misdiagnosed as early onset dementia.

To do this, I’ll need to purchase an audiometer, a computer, build a website, and publish my book, The Gatekeeper in hard copy.

My plan is to provide hearing health care for patients who have been recently diagnosed with a terminal condition. I will be advocating for live music as an intervention to improve communication between patients and loved ones at the onset of an illness in the form of a musical life review. This involves the guided reflection of life events evoked by the performance of live music throughout a patient’s life journey, and sets the tone for these delicate conversations. In clearly understanding and adhering to the patient’s health care wishes now, you are assisting caregivers to mitigate conflict and/or feelings of guilt that may complicate grief and loss after the loved one passes. This makes the patient an active participant in important end of life conversations. This work is science, memory care, person centered care and legacy all working together to improve quality of life for patients and loved ones. It distills down to dignity. Because hearing is the last sense to go.

I am already meeting with representatives from senior care facilities and larger integrated health care systems to present these ideas. Your donation will help get me back to the work that I know I’m meant to do in my lifetime. Please consider helping me reach my $5,000 goal within the next three months. Any and all support is warmly welcomed. In return, I will keep you informed of my progress, and how your generosity is helping change lives in our community.

With Gratitude & Deep Appreciation,

Lauren
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    Organizer

    Lauren Knatz
    Organizer
    Marietta, PA

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