Drums for Mobility
Marty Papizan
Many years ago Marty Papizan broke his back, both legs, and right hip in a military accident. In addition to that, he broke his left arm and received third degree burns on his left wrist and elbow. Over the years, scar tissue on Papizan’s left wrist began to tighten up and he was losing most of his mobility in that limb. His doctor suggested that Papizan use it as much as possible and perform exercises to increase mobility.
"When I thought about what type of exercises I could do, picking up the drumsticks was a natural choice,” says Papizan. “I was a member of my high school drum line for two years.”
Most of what he had learned was tucked far away in Papizan’s memories. However, he took the initiative and began to search websites and talk to local drummers and started taking lessons from a local high school band director.
In the past five years Papizan has begun playing in jazz bands and started teaching beginner drum lessons in his home. He has also regained almost 100% mobility in his left arm and wrist.
For Papizan, making music was a fun and rewarding way to rehabilitate his arm and wrist. “I gained so much more than I expected,” says Papizan. “Playing music and sharing what I had achieved and learned with other people has been one of the most rewarding experiences to date.”
In addition to playing in bands and teaching, Papizan has learned to facilitate drum circles. Over the past few years he has volunteered, leading drum circles for children and adults who are too sick to leave the hospital.
"When I see people, who are sick and in pain, smile as they play the drum rhythms, I can understand just how they feel,” says Papizan. "For me, the most rewarding thing I get from playing music is not how I feel when playing, but seeing how I make other people feel as they play music.”
