A demonstration of what can be accomplished with breathing exercises (respiratory therapy) and electronic wind instruments.

See the Explanation page and download the sheet music at our Download page!

Introducing

Hello everybody, my name is Marleen and I am 11 years old. I go to a school for disabled children. This is my final year of primary school. Next year I will be in High school.

I was born with Merosin-deficient congenital musculair dystrophy. Because of this my muscles and my body are weak and floppy. I am in an electric wheelchair. I am fed through a tube, but I can eat sweets. At night I am ventilated by V- PAP. This is a mouthpiece that blows air into my lungs. I also wear splints on my hands at night.

I like chatting to my friends on the internet. I also enjoy playing football and tennis on my computer. Lately I also enjoy drawing and colouring. And I like cooking at school. Two years ago I started playing the electronic flute during breathing therapy with Ruud. It took us a long time to work out how I could best play the instrument. We tried all sorts of things. Especially how to get my hands onto the keys. It finally worked when we used a straw instead of a mouthpiece.

Recently I played a tune for the teachers and children in my grade. I did so well that everybody cheered! That made me feel great. I also have an electronic flute on loan at home. I have been given songs to practice at home, it's lots of fun!

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Marleen uses a straw instead of a mouthpiece. The length of the straw creates the optimum distance and angle to play the instrument. The WX5 is mounted on a high microphone stand. (shortened with an iron saw)

Hear Marlene play twinkle, twinkle, little star.

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