‘Harmonicare’ may strengthen diaphragm muscles and improve stamina
By
KATE KING
Jan. 2, 2017 2:15 p.m. ET
TEANECK, N. J.—The group gathered around a conference table at Holy Name Medical Center and flipped through binders until they found the music for Chloe Fernandez’s favorite song. Taking deep breaths, they raised their harmonicas to their lips and blew the first notes of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.”
Chloe, 9 years old, of Ridgewood, N.J., is one of the youngest participants in the hospital’s “Harmonicare” weekly classes. The year-old program provides free harmonica instruction to people suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, and other lung ailments.
“We don’t judge when somebody messes up,” said Chloe. “It’s supportive.”
