Music has a universal language that transcends barriers, and Lindon Beckford, a patient transporter at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, stumbled upon this truth quite unexpectedly.
Beckford revealed in a touching video, “I was always singing at work.”
“I was always singing as a child growing up, so it was just a natural thing. It was more for a comforting thing.”
For Beckford, singing was second nature.
Whether it was a catchy tune or a soulful melody, he’d hum or sing it without a second thought, primarily to soothe his own spirit.
What he didn’t anticipate was the ripple effect his singing would have on the patients he was shuttling around the hospital.
Beckford shared, “…so I did that just to comfort myself, but all of a sudden I get to realize people were listening to me.”
The realization his singing was resonating with others was a pleasant surprise for Beckford.
Once he grasped the impact he was having, he decided to incorporate his musical interludes into his daily routine, transforming the hospital corridors into his personal concert hall.
With over three decades of experience at the same hospital, Beckford has honed various methods to alleviate patient anxiety.
His approach to comforting patients has evolved into a fine art.
“Depending on the conversation that I hear, is the patient in pain? What song can I sing to relieve them,” Beckford explained. ”
At the end when I get them to their procedure or back to their room they will tell me, “You know, you make this trip from here to there so much easier because of your singing.'”
Beckford’s compassion shines through in his interactions with patients.
While some healthcare workers might offer a few reassuring words, Beckford takes it a step further by using the transformative power of music to connect on a deeper level.
The beauty of these moments lies in their simplicity.
Beckford’s singing provides a comforting backdrop for patients, helping them navigate the emotional and physical challenges they face during their hospital stay.
The impact of Beckford’s musical offerings is palpable.
“I remember the first time a patient journeyed with me, I was taking her to the lab, and she started doing harmonies for what I was singing, I’m like ‘oh’, it was so amazing, I’m like ‘wow’, and ever since then that happened a few times,” Beckford recounted.
Although serenades aren’t in his job description, they’ve become an integral part of his role.
For over 30 years, he has been brightening the lives of patients as he transports them from one part of the hospital to another, making him a cherished member of the Beth Israel Deaconess community.
Hospitals are places few people want to visit, but for those who have had the privilege of being transported by Beckford, the experience becomes a memorable one.
His songs, simple acts of kindness though they may be, have illuminated countless lives, turning ordinary hospital journeys into extraordinary memories.
See the “Singing Transporter” in the video below!
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