MT Cancer Survivors Share Insights
During a meeting of the executive board of AMTAS at the November, 2010 AMTA conference in Cleveland, two music therapy student leaders discovered they shared something in common – both are cancer survivors. In this informal, impromptu conversation with their fellow music therapy students, Lelia Huber, a senior at University of Alabama, and Megan Peterson, a senior at Colorado State University, share compelling insights based on their personal experiences as music therapy majors diagnosed with cancer.
[display_podcast]
—
MT Cancer Survivors Share Insights
March, 2011
Lelia Huber and Megan Peterson
— + —
In November, 2010, two music therapy students, leaders in their local university programs and in the national student organization, AMTAS, were surprised to learn they were both cancer survivors. As the AMTAS executive board was in the midst of recording an AMTA-Pro podcast about the future of music therapy from the perspective of student leaders, both Lelia Huber and Megan Peterson mentioned their status as cancer survivors. Once the recording of that initial podcast was complete, the music therapy student leaders asked Lelia and Megan if they would talk about their experiences. The resulting podcast is an informal and impromptu conversation with Lelia and Megan sharing frank and thoughtful insights about the impact of cancer diagnosis and treatment on their personal lives and on their music therapy studies and careers. The podcast includes questions from their fellow students and recommendations for therapists from Lelia and Megan – inside information of interest to music therapists striving to provide effective, relevant services to individuals diagnosed with cancer.
When this podcast was recorded in November, 2010, Lelia Huber, 2010 AMTAS secretary, was a senior music therapy major at University of Alabama. After being diagnosed with cancer as a toddler, the next few years of her life were spent in extensive in-patient and out-patient treatment. She is no longer in need of treatment, but stays in touch with the issue through a summer camp for cancer survivors.
In November, 2010, Megan Peterson was a senior music therapy major at Colorado State University. She was recently diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer, and is currently involved in active treatment while leading a busy life typical of music therapy students – classes, practicums, papers, music practice, and leadership roles in local and national music therapy student organizations.
We thank Lelia and Megan for taking time to share their experiences and insights with AMTA members. No matter our areas of specialty as clinicians, researchers, or educators, we can all benefit from inside information, especially from individuals like these two upper-level students who are so intimately familiar with the field of music therapy and with the impact of cancer on daily life. Best wishes to Lelia and Megan as they complete the final steps required before embarking on their professional journeys through the fascinating world of music therapy.
Please feel free to leave a comment on this blog post. If you would like to contact Lelia and/or Megan, please send an e=mail message to AMTA-Pro moderator, Cathy Knoll <[email protected]>