Singing with a Tracheostomy

Hi Friends,  I didn’t think I could sing with a tracheostomy.  I have a Passy Muir speaking valve, which allows air in through my tracheostomy, but to exhale it travels past my vocal chords.  Without this I cannot sing, where with it I can sing a bit. Here is my rendition of “Give Me Jesus” by Fernando Ortega. This is my first performance since having a “Trach” put it in.  The tracheostomy results from occasional vocal chord paralysis.  Also, my swallowing problem causes food and drinks to slip into my lungs, so now I eat through a tube in my stomach.  These conditions result from Multiple System Atrophy, an Atypical Parkinsonism disease.   Here is the video.  Dan Brooks

To hear more of my videos go to You Tube at “Danstune’s Channel.”

“Storms” - A Poem from an Old Friend

Some friends last a lifetime.  Gary Edwards and I met in Jr. High church school on a Sunday morning at Lakewood First Presbyterian Church.  As we grew we influenced one another as Christian believers and shared many activities including backpacking and music.  We eventually performed  for a year at various events when I began writing gospel songs. Gary sang harmony very well and played the bass to back my acoustic guitar.  Neither of us had much and we shared meals that we found cheaply or Gary’s dad allowed me to eat at their home where we would grab toast and granola.  We split the rent on a single room apartment in our city’s run down area, which came to $47.50 each per month.

We moved on in life, both of us becoming public school educators and each married with kids of our own. During my recent breathing crisis leading to the emergency tracheostomy to allow me to breath and stomach tube for feeding, I heard from Gary and his wife Sue, who is also my friend from our Long Beach church youth group led by Pastor Jay Bartow. His concern for my near passing from this crisis and the subsequent extended placement in a skilled nursing facility, inspired him to write this poem that Sue helped edit.  I would love to share it with you, my friends.

Storms 

When storm clouds gathered, you told how you’d fret!

Now you’ve been through storms so hard to forget.

But in the midst of the storm, His  shelter you seek.

When the thunder roars and the lightning streaks. 

The storm rages on and on, and you long for peace.

Praying for many years for the wind and rain to cease.

Keeping faith,  looking up , and then the skies do  clear.

God hasn’t changed,  all is calm,  and there's nothing to fear.

You’ve gone through many storms on the sea of life.

You’ve shared with me your heartaches, your sorrow, and strife.

You’ve shown me how  to trust in Jesus, and in Him you abide.

Sharing with me that all through the storm, He's by your side.

Thank you for sticking with me in storms of health,

My car accident modeled your love that brings His wealth.

Knowing that in the Storm and pain,His comfort He brings

As He gets us ready for eternal things.

Praying for you each day as torrents do fall

Showing that in the drought when there’s no rain at all 

His harvest in your life is a spiritual flow

The Son is shining in you, whether or not you know....

With love always, Gary and (Sue)

Thank you to my lifelong friends for the gift of this poem and the genuine concern and love it represents!  - Dan