If you have been blessed to have a family member or friend with special needs, or a loved one who had a stroke or brain injury, then you will definately want to know about The Rythmic Arts Program aka TRAP program. This program is one of the most fantastic empowering and "fUN" ways to learn, to communicate, that I have ever encountered.

My dear friend Drummer Eddie Tuduri, developed this program while he was recovering from a broken neck after a surfing accident. Paralyzed from the neck down, Eddie had the use of one finger, and for a professional drummer,  that one finger was a life saver, since he was still able to tap a beat against the siderail  of his hospital bed.

Eventually Eddie engaged other patients in his room and nursing staff to help fill out the sound and soon they were all having fun and recovering their spirit as well as the use of  their bodies.

As is par for the course, when necessity becomes the mother of invention, great things are developed. Today with the help of his former therapist Eddie came up with an educational program using a hand drum as the primary language tool. It’s brilliant since neither the  practioner nor the class needs to be able to speak, nor even speak the same language. The beat says it all. Even if you are not a drummer or musician, this program is very easy to follow and deliver and  I have to say it really delivers so much.

Eddie brought Pearl Drums on as a sponsor and they have been incredible in their support of this program.

Today, Eddie walks with the use of a cane that he carries more than he uses, but that doesn’t stop him from travelling around  the world to deliver his program  to children and adults alike.

I was able to witness the TRAP program in action this week, when Eddie brought it to Toronto. I was so inspired  and engaged that I cannot wait to become a TRAP facilitator myself.

Thanks you Paul and Paul from Pearl Drums, and the Lincolns for playing and to Eddie for being so UNSTOPPABLE!!!!

Listen to my interview with Eddie on Blog Talk Radio http://www.blogtalkradio.com/missionunstoppable/2008/07/30/The-Legendary-Drummer-Eddie-Tuduri