Music as medicine
Man with disability and bouts of depression finds healing in music
Ryan Gallant is hoping to strum up support for a cause close to his heart.
The 26-year-old Summerside man battles bouts of depression and lives with cerebral palsy, a severe disability that affects his motor abilities and strength.
“They call it a nonverbal learning disability, and my left leg and arm are worse,” he said.
“It starts from the brain and affects your mobility, speech, the way you eat food, walk and just everyday things become a challenge.”
Cerebral palsy is caused by a brain injury or abnormal development of the brain either before birth, during or immediately after.
“My parents have to help me with certain things, like tying my shoelaces, because I find it difficult. And they generously take me places because I can’t drive. But there have been days when I was growing up that I would feel pretty low.”
That’s when music provided Gallant with an outlet to help overcome pain and transport him away from sometimes a lonely reality.
“I’ve been listening to music since I was three years old. I’m a huge music fan,” said Gallant. “When you’re feeling down and you listen to an upbeat song it just makes you feel so much better, especially if it’s a live band performing, I find.”
To drum up support and raise awareness on cerebral palsy and mental health, Gallant, with the assistance of his sister, Kara, will host a music fundraiser called, “Rockers for Recovery.”
Gallant has gathered a number of live bands to lift the room — and spirits — at the Silver Fox Entertainment Complex on Saturday, Dec. 23.
Bands include Random Zero, an alternative rock power trio, and Aron Scott Earthquake, a rock ’n’ roll group, both from Summerside, as well as BustedSkulls, a punk influenced metal band from Charlottetown, and DJ Tommy Biggar BeatZ.
Ryan Gallant Music will also join Random Zero for a special tune called, “Vice.”
Jenny Mae is the guest speaker on mental health awareness, and Jeremy MacDonald and Joey Blacquiere will speak on behalf of cerebral palsy.
Tickets for the 19-yearsand-over event will cost $10. Proceeds from ticket sales go towards the Cerebral Palsy Foundation of P.E.I. and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Doors open at 8 p.m., and the event kicks off at 9 p.m.
To book tickets, visit www. silverfoxpei.ca or call 902-4362153.