Lou Milanesi uses the harmonic to help those with breathing difficulties
An Erlanger Health System respiratory therapist is using the harmonica to help his patients.
Lou Milanesi, who moved to the Chattanooga area nine years ago from New Hampshire, started teaching Harmonicas for Health a couple of years ago.
It's a 12-week class for COPD patients, and he finds that the students have really enjoyed the lessons, encouragement and the breathing improvement.
His wife, Janet, notes, "Lou pours himself into these students spending extra unpaid time working with them and spending a lot of money out of his own pocket.
"The students are not necessarily very talented, but they are benefitting in so many ways as they struggle with lung problems that are not curable. Most of them are on oxygen 24/7, but it doesn't stop their smiles and music."
Mr. Milanesi heard about Harmonicas for Health from the COPD Foundation about four years ago and saw it as a fun way to do breathing exercises. He tried to get the program started for about a year and finally he ordered the kit and taught himself to play. Then eventually he got things going with some of his COPD patients.
Mrs. Milanesi says, "Some have worked really hard practicing every day and they've been able to breathe significantly better and entertain grandkids while they're practicing."
She adds, "When we moved to this area Lou started having some breathing trouble. He was always very active hiking around Dartmouth Hospital where he worked. The Appalachian Trail goes through that area not far from the hospital.
"He just hasn't had the stamina here in the heat for much hiking. Since he's a respiratory therapist he looked into this and realized allergies and breathing issues are very common in this valley and that's what helped get him interested in the harmonica program."
Harmonicas for Health meets on Thursdays at the Lifestyle Center downtown.
Click here for a video about the program.
For more information, call 423 778-3275.