Testimonials
Read how others are using the Room 217 therapeutic music resources and the many benefits they have found. If you would like to provide a testimonial or feedback on how Room 217 has worked for you or your organization, we would be pleased to receive it. (Contact Us)
Here’s what people are saying about Room 217:
Many thanks for the copy of your latest album, Peaceful Presence. You were right about the flugelhorn. What a compliment to your styling and the organ. I have listened thru twice and talked about it to one of my home care nurses. Congrats, another solid success for Room 217!
Peter T., Care Receiver
I am a Nurse Unit Manager in a Secure Dementia Unit. I have purchased your CD's & DVD to help create a calm environment from 3pm onwards - our "winding down time". The Recollections DVD will be used as group activity interacting with the residents discussing the images etc. Spirit Wings is a particularly beautiful CD, I lost my father last month (he also had Alzheimer's Disease) and the music was very comforting to me; I will be playing it at our upcoming Facility Memorial Service (for residents who had passed on in the past 6 months) I am sure the family members and staff will find it to be beautiful and appropriate. I learnt of Room 217 from a DT Forum that I am a member of. The coordinator advised us of it and I am very glad that she did, so you may well hear from more people "Down Under".
Jeni Wallace, Queensland, Australia
I have ordered your CD's before and given them away. Everyone who receives one feels so peaceful listening to them.They seem to provide great solace at a time of need.
Joan Gordon
My iTunes programme calls it “easy listening,” which it is…. The music is meditative, with a romantic phrasing and pop harmony. In a way it is like the presence of a caregiver, or a minister or rabbi: skilled in helping when needed, but able to slip into the background as soon as his or her presence is not necessary. It is thankfully not sugar-coated with studio sweetening. What sets this project apart is the solid playing and firm musicianship of Foster and her colleagues, including Wendy Solomon (harp) and Rob Piltch (acoustic guitar). The repertoire crosses religious, and other cultural and sectarian boundaries.
Andrew Donaldson
As a recipient of Room 217 resources under your Room to Room program, I wanted to send a note to say thank you for the beautiful CDs. We use them for our residents who are in our palliative program. The feedback that we have received from residents, families, and staff has been exceptional. There is something so peaceful and perfect about the music. You are truly a magical musician and we appreciate it very much.
Stacey Sellery, Administrator, Butternut Manor
At a practice in mid-December, a choir member mentioned her sore back. When she did not show up for the Christmas services I presumed she was with family. January 8th, I discovered that she was in hospital - the palliative care unit. I visited her the next day and could hardly recognize her. I took some of your CDs and a few others. The family just kept playing them all the time until she died just four days later. What a powerful ministry you have!
Kenneth Inkster
Like most people, I need the music of peace in my life. I have turned to Room 217 often this past year and I have played it for others who are grieving or just overwhelmed by the stress of life. I love the vision of all the room 217 products and I highly recommend them!
Brian Doerksen, 2008 Juno Award Winner
My father has been in failing health for a few years. He took a turn for the worse six weeks ago and passed away Monday morning. I want you to know that your Celtic Whisperings CD was played a lot and was very comforting for him. Thank you.
K.T.
Congratulations on a superb product and a job well done. I'll watch your progress with interest and will certainly recommend your CDs to those needing such help. Carry on the good work.
Marian Ritchie, Speaker & Author of 'The Long Way Home'
Hugs & Kisses is a wonderful CD. It plays daily in the bedroom wing and brings comfort to both my children and me. It is helping me through the most challenging experience of my life so far. I thank Bev for her gift of music and sharing it with others. Her music is needed and appreciated.
Sophianne Roberts, SKR Dance Studio
This CD is almost worn out! How we are enjoying it.
Sheila
I would like Bev to know that on returning from her presentation I gave the Room 217 CDs to a family who were sitting with their mother who was dying of cancer. They used them for about a week before she died and the daughter said they soothed her mom's anxiety and helped her stay calm. The music was also soothing for the daughter and her husband and helped them come to grips with what was happening. They work and I was so thrilled to be able to offer them to this family. Thanks for the music!!!!
Alison Galbraith, Recreation Director
Much of the music is comfortingly familiar and has the effect of lifting the spirit as well as giving food for thought. It prompts both smiles and tears. In an age of anxiety, the calming effect of reflective music and soothing words helps people get through the difficult moments, perhaps directing their thoughts to spiritual matters and giving them release from the immediacy of their worries.... Room 217 CDs help "calm the soul" in stressful situations, even in heavy traffic!
John R. Torrance, Associate Pastor, Pastoral Care
I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face after listening to Bev's
music on the website. I have never been touched like this, or, to this extent. The graphics
are the most beautiful I have ever seen. They express so vividly the timing of Bev's
words as she sings - I'm just overwhelmed.
Patricia Holtby
I received the Hugs & Kisses CD yesterday. Thank you soo much. My son loved it and so do I. Sincere thanks!
Kristina Zubac, Hershey Canada Inc.
The musical content of the CDs is hope-filled. There is lots of music out there for destressing and relaxation but in my view it doesn't necessarily bring hope. The end of life or other stress-filled situations can be a dark place, Room 217 recognizes this and helps come to terms with it.
Roland Peloza, Cheeky Monkey Music Store
During my Mom's stay in hospital following emergency heart surgery, I played Room 217. The hospital environment had made her anxious - but the continuity of your soothing music put the beeps, bumps and footsteps into the background. Thanks for your music, which continues to bring peace and joy to me and Mom.
J. Neville, Imagiscape.ca
I wanted to share with you that I got my Hugs & Kisses CD last week and I've been using it at school. It's really great. I have a rambunctious grade 4 and they don't settle easily, but they will work without a sound for a good 40 minutes with quiet music on. I usually use classical, but yours has worked better than that!
Susan Allen, Teacher
I have been listening to your Room 217 CDs every night this week as I've been going to bed. I use headphones and lie in bed in the dark, listening. They are so gentle. They calm me right down ... bring peace ... they are a blessing. I am entering a new phase of life as a caregiver to my parents. The beautiful melodies, tone, instruments etc. help release tension and sooth my anxious heart. There's a real comfort to your music.
J. Brown
Room 217 music truly inspires me. It has brought me through some very difficult times physically and especially emotionally. It truly lifts me up.
D.C.
I read an article about your CDs recently, looked you up on the web and knew your music was something I have been searching for. My Mom and Dad were killed in a car accident last summer and we are really just beginning to grieve their loss. As the anaesthetic of shock and disbelief wear off, I have found your music so soothing and comforting. There are times when I just want to be alone with my grief and I find listening to your music helps me to be still and experience and sort through what I am feeling. What a great gift to give someone who is experiencing a recent loss. Thank you so much for this beautiful gift of spiritual music.
Kate
Hugs & Kisses is a winner. My two year old granddaughter loves it.
J.D.
I met you at last week's NHPCO Conference (I was the one who said I rarely cried but was brought to tears with your music). I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your workshop, but most of all, your music. I've been asked to play the Spirit Wings CD at a "spiritual care" workshop and have shared the other 2 CDs with my boss and the nurse supervisor. They are completely "signed on" to incorporate your CDs into our hospice program. I've also offered the CDs for our volunteers to utilize when visiting a patient and I've played the CDs during our training sessions. Our volunteers are very excited about the music. Words cannot express enough how much you and your music have truly touched my life. What a nice surprise to have that result from a work conference! I look forward to making a difference in our patients' journeys and our volunteer training. I know our staff and my volunteers will be equally happy to participate. Again, thank you!!! You truly are an angel.
Karin Guy, Asante Hospice
Volunteer Coordinator
Medford, Oregon, USA
I could tell simply by looking at the Room 217 website that the quality, appropriateness and passion of the purpose of the CDs was there. My attendance at the workshop truly did confirm my initial impression. Bev, you have been both blessed and burdened with the mission of allowing our human hearts to connect with the divine - no matter who or where we are in our life's journey. Thank you and may God continue to truly bless you, which I KNOW he will.
Ken Perry, Chaplain
West Park Manor
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Thank you for bringing your music, inspiration and joyful heart to the BC Hospice conference. I have listened to the CD's, which were for sale. I bought all three. My favorite is Spirit Wings, even though, as I mentioned, I am a Buddhist in spiritual orientation. However, I grew up in a (more or less) Christian family and my mother is now a deeply spiritual person. I know she would love Spirit Wings, especially now because my Dad died recently and she is going through her own grieving journey after 57 years of marriage. I am going to order it for her on your website. I am also going to take the CD's I bought to the new residential facility I work at and begin to use them there in training and mentoring around palliative care issues. I know your music and the heart behind it will help. Thanks again.
Rivkah Moore
To: Room 217
From: Room 331
Thank you so much for your inspirational CD, Spirit Wings. The CD was donated to York Hospital and still in the wrapper when a nurse asked us if we would like to play it for my dear friend and mother-in-law on her final days. For six days we played it, every moment, day and night. We also played it at the viewing, funeral and the tea. It is such a beautiful collection of songs and everyone of all faiths have commented on a job well done on your part. I will be purchasing the other two CD's very soon. Thank you again and I know my dear friend Ruth thanks you also.
Sharon Sedore
Room 217 is beautiful; it helped me in my last few days with my 95 year old sister Anne. Every song brought back memories. In her last four days I would sit by Anne's bedside and talk to her with Spirit Wings playing. She would squeeze my hand. I knew it touched her and brought her comfort.
Joy Shaw, sister of Anne Kyle
Etobicoke, ON, Canada
We have used Room 217 with patients very successfully. I think that music can make a big difference.
Dr. Brian Berger, MD, CCFP, ABHPM
Richmond Hill, ON, Canada
As a palliative care nurse of 20 years I think this CD is wonderful for palliative patients. It is very uplifting, timely and soothing. I have found it personally uplifting as well.
Nelly Joy Willerding, RN
Research Nurse, Palliative Care Team
Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care
Toronto, ON, Canada
We have Room 217 Spirit Wings on all four floors at Toronto Grace Hospital. It is beautiful, comforting music and I think it is a great resource. We have used it with patients and their family and it made a big difference to them. I love the CD and the Room 217 concept.
Major Phyllis Bobbitt
Director of Spiritual Care
Toronto Grace Hospital
Room 217 has been an amazing tool! I have used it with my 71 year old mother, who is a stroke survivor, and it really struck a chord with her. I have meditated to it, played it during my children's creative play time, and entertained with it on. I have never listened to less-intrusive but completely comforting music in my life.
Patty Bowman Kingsley
Bowmanville, ON, Canada
Spirit Wings helped me prepare a family for their young daughter's end of life journey. I introduced the music gently to the mother and it calmed her down. It changed the atmosphere in the hospital room and made it a very gentle, quite, loving space. The music made the daughter's death very peaceful. Spirit Wings was also very good for the staff and the patient who shared the room with the family during
these tender moments.
Beatrice Francz, Chaplain
Hamilton, ON, Canada
I have seen Room 217 work with the dying and others. It touches the human heart, something deep within. It is comforting, calming and provides people, whether they are dying or not, with the opportunity to have a healthy reflection on the history of their life.
Rev. Brent Stiller
Port Perry, ON, Canada
Long term care homes are acutely aware of the importance of music in our daily lives.Music is the international language used to stimulate fond memories, to calm agitation and anxiety, and to bring enjoyment and excitement to those living in care facilities. Our residents find this music spiritually uplifting, and enjoy "Room 217" during quiet times alone in their rooms, and as background music and during a variety of programs. Our staff love its calming warmth to break up their hectic days.
Heather Colyer, Administrator
Wellesley Central Place
Spirit Wings is soothing and calming, taking you on a spiritual journey that reconnects your soul and your spirit to truth. It reawakens the heart to love and light in a delicate and hope-filled way. As a Massage Therapist, I use Spirit Wings as relaxation music during treatments and find that it's continuous play allows my clients to enter a meditative state and a deeper relaxation while still being present in their own physical and emotional bodies. Everyone experiences loss, change, transition and grief in life; this CD coaches us, leads us through those times and reminds us of our purpose. Bev has created a beautiful atmosphere with this gift for everyone on life's journey. Bev, thank you for your purpose-filled gift and for having the courage to bring it to life.
Juli Conard, RMT