When her mother, Marnie Kash, who is a teacher at Creekview Elementary, recognized her daughter was born with disabilities at a young age, she jumped to get her some help.
An onslaught of various therapy sessions ensued, including occupational, speech, physical and even horseback-riding therapy, Marnie Kash said.
“When she was young, we’d pull in to our drive way after work and a therapist was pulling in behind me,” Marnie Kash said. “When that therapist left, another would pull in.”
Makenna has been meeting with Jordan since she was four months old, practicing various musical instruments and voice therapy.
“I think she sang before she walked,” Jordan said. “She was a little, bitty baby when I first saw her.”
Jordan could not approach Makenna for the first few years of music therapy because she would not tolerate her presence, the therapist said.
“I didn’t push, but I used music to engage her,” Jordan said. “And it worked.”
Makenna sang the national anthem at the 41st annual Special Olympics at Middletown High May 13. She flawlessly pronounced each syllable and stunned the dozens of parents, teachers and volunteer students who were on hand.
She described how she felt at that moment in one word.
“Happy,” Makenna said. “My favorite instrument is the piano, it’s nice.
“It makes me feel good.”
She is also familiar with playing guitar, snare drum, auto harp and the metallophone, a cousin of the xylaphone.
Marnie Kash said music therapy has been much more productive than other types of therapy, such as occupational or speech.
“Being a parent of a handicap child, I strongly believe using music therapy at a very young age is crucial,” Marnie Kash said. “We will continue to do that for her, I have seen how far she has come.”
Makenna will celebrate the culmination of year-long therapy sessions when she performs Amazing Grace at Saturday at the blind association.
Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5112 or kelgazzar@coxohio.com. Follow at
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