Madison Fields, a project of Madison House Autism Foundation, brings transformative Music Therapy of the Rockies by serving 10 wounded veterans, in collaboration with The Wounded Warrior Project and American Airlines.
Dickerson, MD (May 30, 2019) – In collaboration with Wounded Warrior Project and American Airlines, Madison Fields welcomed 10 veterans who have carried the burden of unseen trauma from their service to our country. For three days, Madison Fields hosted a music therapy retreat, healing, and a final concert on June 2nd, when veterans performed for family and supporters with the guitars they got to keep and use to continue to heal with music.
Wounded Warrior Project is committed to working as a force multiplier in the communities where our nation’s warriors live, work and re-integrate. Coleman Brooks, Regional Director of Mid-Atlantic Region at Wounded Warrior Project states, “Working with Madison Fields, a place of healing and tranquility, with the innovative musical therapy can be life-changing for our veterans.”
Throughout the weekend, there were many powerful moments within the sessions and elements of music were instrumental in rewiring how the brain processes emotions, self-expression, and behaviors. Mack Bailey, acclaimed musician and the founder of Music Therapy of the Rockies, uses guitars and music therapy to address the needs of veterans and other at-risk populations through evidence-based research and techniques. Bailey who works with veterans by incorporating therapeutic songwriting as a means of self-expression and reframing their stories. Bailey explains, “It’s not what you get out the of the music, but what the music gets out of you.”
Music Therapy of the Rockies’ mission is to not only address the veterans, but also teach other music therapists the proven skills that have been positively affecting the lives of the veterans, as well as furthering research of music therapy and mental health. JaLynn Prince, Founder and President, Madison House Autism Foundation, agrees, “This experience of a lifetime gives to vets who have given so much for our freedom. This is a priceless gift of healing and helps our veterans forge new paths, and opens opportunities to live their best lives.” Prince adds, “This programming aligns with our mission at Madison Fields to provide equity for all to reach their fullest potential in a place of healing and would not have been possible without the generosity of The Wounded Warrior Project and American Airlines.”
Music can reduce the stigma of finding valued support. To learn more about supporting musical therapy programming at Madison Fields, please contact Sharon Cichy.
About Madison House Autism Foundation
Madison House Autism Foundation was created in 2008 to address the lifespan needs of the two million autistic adults in the country. More than one million of these individuals live with aging parents, and 85% are unemployed or underemployed in the workforce. Montgomery County and its surrounding communities, is home for approximately 5,000 adults with autism and other neuro-diverse adults who face significant challenges ranging from housing to employment.
In 2014, Madison House was gifted the equity in a 400-acre farm, renamed Madison Fields, located in Dickerson in the Agricultural Reserve of Montgomery County. Programs at Madison Fields include therapeutic horseback riding, agricultural education field trips, as well as a vocational program that focuses on training adults with autism and other intellectual/developmental disabilities on workforce skills. Learn more about them at: www.madisonhouseautism.org.
Madison House Autism Foundation is located at 820 West Diamond Avenue Suite 120, Gaithersburg, MD. To learn more about MHAF and Madison Fields visit madisonhouseautism.org. And madisonfields.org Find us! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram #AutismAfter21
About Wounded Warrior Project
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers – helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more: http://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/about-us.
About Music Therapy of the Rockies
Music Therapy of addresses the symptoms of PTSD through evidenced-based music therapy techniques. The program also focuses on the neurologic aspect of PTSD with the goal of making life long changes. The program is run by a Board-Certified Music Therapist and incorporates mindfulness and active listening, self-expression and therapeutic songwriting with professional songwriters, and the gift of a guitar to learn new coping skills. Each of these parts of the retreat combine to help the veterans reframe their military experience. Goal-setting exercises are also incorporated each day.
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