Bristol Myers Squibb and the American Music Therapy Association, in partnership with actor, singer, and songwriter Ben Platt and his sister-in-law Courtney Platt, a dancer, choreographer, and actor who lives with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS), launch MS in Harmony.
MS in Harmony is a digital offering developed to guide people living with multiple sclerosis on how they may achieve mind-body harmony through music therapy.
“Music is a huge part of who I am, and it has always had the power to shift my emotional and mental state. Music therapy harnesses the power of music to evoke physical and mental responses and I’m so proud to be involved with MS in Harmony for my sister-in-law Courtney – and everyone living with MS.”
— Ben Platt
“There’s a growing body of research on the potential benefits of music therapy for people living with MS – and still, many people living with the condition may not have the opportunity to give it a try. MS in Harmony makes music therapy-based exercises widely accessible to people with MS and their care partners, and we’re proud to partner with Bristol Myers Squibb on this important initiative.”
— Deborah Benkovitz Williams, President of the American Music Therapy Association
Education and Music Therapy at Home
MS in Harmony provides educational information about the potential physical, mental and emotional effects of MS, and offers visitors an interactive and engaging opportunity to explore music therapy for themselves (and with friends and/or family) – from the safety and comforts of their own homes – through a variety of video techniques designed specifically for people living with MS and led by credentialed music therapists. Some of the videos feature Ben and Courtney Platt, a media release explains.
“As a lifelong dancer, a lover and believer in the power of all things musical – and someone living with relapsing MS, MS in Harmony is an amazing experience for me. I’m so glad to have music therapy as another tool to help me manage my condition – and I am so incredibly excited to be able to share the potential of music therapy with the rest of the MS community.”
— Courtney Platt
In an effort to help spread mind-body harmony across Instagram, Courtney Platt is kicking off the #MSinHarmony social challenge – and asking everyone (those with MS – and others as well!) to dance and sing it out to their favorite song, share their video on Instagram, tag #MSinHarmony, and challenge three others to do the same. Anyone can follow the challenge on Instagram via @MSinHarmony, the release continues.
“At Bristol Myers Squibb, patients are our purpose. The experiences and stories of people living with MS, like Courtney, inspire and drive us to push beyond conventional solutions to serious diseases, and we’re thrilled to have the chance to share music therapy with the MS community through MS in Harmony.”
— Tina Deignan, Senior Vice President, and U.S. Business Unit Head for Immunology at Bristol Myers Squibb
[Source(s): Bristol Myers Squibb, American Music Therapy Association]
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