Heartwarming Video Shows Dementia Patient Singing On The Way To Music Therapy

Alzheimer's is a cruel disease but one 82-year-old is showing that he's not going to let it beat him after footage of him giving an impressive rendition of the classic 'Singing In The Rain', was shared.

Maurice Smith used to sing professionally in local dance bands in the 1950s and 60s - but lost touch with his talent after being diagnosed with the condition five years ago.

But after a little encouragement from his support worker, Diane Vose, while the pair were on their way to a music therapy group, Maurice showed that he's definitely still got it.

Diane was the one who got Maurice, from Warminster, Wiltshire, involved in a local Alzheimer's Society charity's 'Music For The Mind' singing therapy.

And since then, he's really got into the swing of things, and he can't even wait to get to his sessions before he starts belting out a tune.

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As soon as Maurice gets in the car to becomes a one-man band, serenading Diane with some songs for the journey.

A charming video filmed in Diane's car shows Maurice beaming as he gives Gene Kelly a run for his money with his own take on the iconic hit.

Diane, from Wiltshire-based charity Alzheimer's Support, said: "I spend time with Maurice every week to give his wife Ann a well-earned rest. For the first few weeks we chatted a lot about football.

"Then one day I had the radio on and he just started singing. I couldn't believe what a wonderful voice he had.

"I thought he would enjoy going to one of the charity's Music for the Mind singing groups and there is one that meets on a Wednesday when I see Maurice.

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"They were blown away by Maurice. Now we go every week and we always sing in the car on the way there.

"He still has an amazing voice and he is so happy when he is singing. I think it has really helped him. I love supporting Maurice and I love my job."

Alzheimer's Support runs seven Music for the Mind dementia choirs across Wiltshire, and this summer Maurice and his fellow Music for the Mind singers will be putting on a special concert to help raise funds for the charity.

To find out more about Music for the Mind and Alzheimer's Support, click here.

Topics: Science, UK News, Inspirational, Interesting, Health

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

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