Sunday, December 11, 2016

Thomas Wade




As is my want...always wanted to say that in a sentence, I listen to Saturday Night Blues, which is two hours of Blues music, and host Holger Peterson always features an interview with some musician.

I especially love when I learn about artists I've never heard of, and it's really moving when I hear of an artist that's used their music and creativity to overcome adverse medical conditions or other hardships. It's a testament to creative power we all possess, in some way or another. Those who focus on what they can do with a positive attitude, thrive and Thomas Wade is certainly one of those artists.

On Saturday Night Blues last night I heard Thomas Wade's song "We've Got A Lot to Unlearn" and found everything about it so good, that I knew I'd have to do some online research about him and his music.
I thought, where'd this guy come from, and why hadn't I heard his name before? At times like this I feel like I've been living in a cave.

I was happy to learn that Thomas Wade is Canadian, from small town Ontario, been around for a long while and very acclaimed. I thought maybe because I'm not one to listen to AM radio and it seems this is where Thomas Wade could be heard in the past was why I hadn't heard his music or even his name.

The fact was, he wasn't recording or singing for over 15 years because of a very serious neurological disorder called Oromandibular Dystonia, which caused him to completely lose his voice. He couldn't sing or speak, but was determined to make the most of his song writing talents, believing in his art and having faith in himself.

After Thomas Wade had learned about and investigated what is known as neuroplasticity of the brain, things began to turn around. The simple explanation of this disorder being, that the brain's ability to make new nerve cell connections, reorganizes itself to compensate for injury.  It's quite an amazing thing.

Thomas actually devised his own therapeutic exercises and little by slowly, he began to regain the use of his voice. Remarkably he seems to have made a complete recovery.

Following and having faith in his creative heart, I'm certain helped him immeasurably, and made all the difference, not to mention how he's an inspiration to others in so many ways.

2 comments:

Judith Joseph said...

Thanks for sharing this artist. I had not heard of Thomas Wade, and I enjoyed listening to his tracks. Addie liked him too-- it put her right to sleep, which is always a plus! Last night, she was snoozing in my studio after "The Nutcracker Suite" by Tchaikovsky came on the radio, and I was stuck listening to it, lest she wake up. But I got a lot of work done, so it was worth it!
Wishing you an enchanted holiday season-- a blessed Christmas and all good things for 2017!
♥ Judith

Unknown said...

Thank you Jusith. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed his music and that Addie liked it too :)
I love Tchaikovsky, especially that white album with a yellow flower on the front. I don't recall the name of it. I bought it when I was a teenager and would listen to it for hours.

Abundant Christmas Blessings to you and your family Judith and Happy Hanukah!