Appalachian Spring Poster

Helping New Moms

One of the privileges of my office as Board President of Redmond Chorale is learning about organizations for which I was completely unaware.  Listening to a passionate people share their mission and vision for their organizations and knowing that we are able to help them is very humbling.

This concert seasons partner is POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON.  This amazing organization is run with a host of volunteers and only two part time staff members. I met with one of the two, Mia Edidin recently to learn about PSI of WA. Mia has been with PSI for 8 years and is a licensed clinical social worker.

Having been around for 30 years, PSI of WA is a statewide organization that provides support for women dealing with Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD)

What they do is 1) Raise awareness, 2) enlighten professionals 3) support those impacted by PMAD’s and 4) Foster connections between all. 

One of their most used services is a Warm line for moms in distress. It is answered by volunteer therapists and moms who are volunteering to give back after having been there themselves. Each person that calls the Warm line is sent literature regarding PMAD and resources in their communities.

Through PSI of WA, there are 15 support groups throughout the state that help families going through PMAD.

One of the facts Mia shared with me is that though there is only a small percentage of women who experience a myriad of medical issues associated with pregnancy and birth, though all are tested for these things as a matter of precaution. 10-20 % of new mothers experience post-partum depression, and that it is the number one complication of pregnancy, and mothers are rarely screened for it.  Also, due to the stigma associated with mental illness, very few new moms seek assistance. That is why training professionals to identify the signs and symptoms and know where to refer a new mom is so important.

What I didn’t realize is that PMAD’s can affect a family long after those first few months after birth.

Here are some statistics:

·         20% of mothers and 10% of fathers will experience a PMAD

·         Maternal suicide rates increase 44% in the postpartum year

·         Depressed mothers have less affectionate contact with infant and less time mutually engaged with child as toddler

·         Moms with PMAD are less likely to breastfeed, read/sing to infants, bring babies to doctor visits, and use safety practices with infants

All of these things affect early childhood development, which is why these disorders can affect a family for years after a child is out of diapers, and why support and appropriate treatment is so important to a family. 

So I asked Mia, how RC’s gift would help PSI of WA in their mission.

Our gift could go to train a new support group leader

Or

Buy supplies for a group

Or

Print the literature that is sent to the women who call into the Warm line for a year!

Or

to scholarships for professionals to get trained

For more information on PSI of WA, go to www.ppmdsupport.com

Connections!  I get to come and sing some awesome music on Monday nights and then perform it for some great audiences and touch lives in meaningful ways.  What a privilege!  Thanks to chorale member Evelyn F who let us know about this great organization!

 Save the Date: March 22^nd 7pm 

for an Appalachian Spring

Ceytha B

Join us for our Christmas Season Concert December 7, 2014 7pm
Meadowbrook Church, Redmond, WA
$10.00 suggested donation

Operatunities, Redmond Chorale's Christmas Season Concert Partner

A CHOIR WITH TWO MISSIONS

 

As many of you know, Redmond Chorale is a Community organization. Not only do we provide "excellent achievement and education in choral arts, Redmond Chorale also raises funds for charitable causes in and around Redmond, as members of the choir connect with each other and with the community."

Last spring, nominations were given by Chorale members regarding which organizations we would support for the 2014-15 Concert Season.

 We are pleased to announce that our partner for our December 7th concert is Operatunities!

Here is a little of their story:

Founded	September 2010
	Operatunities – The Story "Operatunities was created by Carla Swedish as an answer to two important questions that arose for Carla on her journeys as a singer and as the daughter of a parent who lived in a retirement and health care community. As a singer, Carla observed that there comes a point when finishing and performing one’s work IS the work. This is why many advanced and professional level singers develop classical recitals or small cabarets of musical theatre material; invite their friends and family; and get themselves up in front of an audience. These recitals and small shows can cost the singer a fair amount of money to put together; and often it is necessarily a one-time performance. While repeated performance of material is yet the next step for an artist’s development and is of great value to the artist; it is not always possible. So, the first question was “where are the venues where a singer can develop at this level of their work, performing for an appreciative audience, without having to ‘pay to perform’?“ Meanwhile, Carla’s Mom, while living in a retirement community, went from independent living to assisted living to skilled nursing; and Carla noticed that the quality and quantity of the artistic, enriching experiences to which her mother had access dramatically decreased. In full agreement with statistics that music is healing to mind, body and spirit; Carla’s second question was “how can I provide quality musical performances to people who would appreciate it and benefit the most; but whose access has become limited?” Operatunities was therefore born to bring advanced and professional level singers with finished, quality classical or “classic” musical programs right into retirement and care communities; thus providing singers with venues, and potentially under-served audiences with quality programming."

For more information check out Operatunities Facebook Page!