Giving back on ANZAC Day
Not long ago, musician Jack Taylor was riding his bicycle to work along Nepean Highway when he was in an accident.
After receiving treatment at The Alfred, he was transferred to Caulfield Hospital for further care, which is also home to the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Unit.
“The treatment I received there—both medical and therapeutic—was phenomenal,” Jack said.
"They really made a difference.”
So when he was asked to play as part of Bayside Alfred's ANZAC Day Service at Caulfield Hospital, he was happy to do so.
For Jack – who played The Last Post, The Rouse and the Australian national anthem on the day – it was about giving back to the place that played a crucial role in enabling him to get back to regular, everyday life.
In fact, Jack credits his rehab at Caulfield Hospital with helping him play music again, at the same skill level and energy as before his accident.
Speech pathologist Emma Hatty said she encouraged Jack to play his trumpet in the ABI ward.
“A good part of ABI is having different groups and events that help get patients active,” she said.
“It can be really rewarding using something like performing music as a goal to form part of Jack’s recovery.”
For Jack, a member of the Southern Area Concert Band, it was a path toward recovery that made sense.
“The level of engagement and encouragement here at Caulfield Hospital is fantastic,” Jack said.
“The staff are constantly encouraging. Everything is so uplifting and motivational.”
Rehabilitation physician Dr Kirily Adam said it was rewarding to see Jack perform at the Anzac Day service.
“Something like this is so important to Jack. Music is a big part of his life,” Kirily said.
“It’s a journey, and Jack’s still on it. But he’s come a long way and we’re so proud of him.”
