INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — An Independence music teacher searched for months to find a way for one of her students, who was born with a muscular-development condition that affects the upper body, to play the recorder.
"I knew that I would just keep looking until I could find exactly what could work," said Sarah Hessenius, who teaches at Spring Branch Elementary School.
Hessenius was determined to help fourth grader Mia Snelgrove. Belinda Snelgrove, Mia’s mother, said Mia was born with Arthrogryposis.
“There are many forms of it, but hers is Amyoplasia, which affects the upper body,” Snelgrove said.
That means Mia has a hard time lifting her arms and using her fingers. Snelgrove started to worry this summer because Mia would need to play the recorder, and Mia’s two older siblings who go to the school went through the music program.
But, Hessenius found a special recorder.
"It has buttons on it to cover the holes,” Hessenius said. “I knew that would help her with her finger dexterity.”
There was still one problem — the fourth grader couldn't reach the mouthpiece. However, during the night, yet another idea came to Hessenius.
"That's when I get some of my best ideas when I wake up in the middle of the night,” she said. “I said, ‘I wonder if a straw would work because a metal tube I can't form and bend to fit into the mouthpiece.”
That was the missing piece.
"I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, what is this? It's a recorder, y'all,’" Mia said.
She now plays her new instrument every chance she can.
"I love the recorder so much,” 10-year-old Mia said. “Like, I love it so much I just wanted to take it home when I got it.”
Snelgrove said this simple gesture from Hessenius gave Mia a confidence she has never seen before.
"For someone to go the extra mile for my daughter and give her the ability back that she thought she didn't have, I can't put words on it,” Snelgrove said. “She inspires her. She brought out the uniqueness that she can play like her other friends.”
