Sunrise and Noon Rotary presidents Ken McGinley and Dave Magnuson each gave $625 to Good Samaritan Society - Stillwater.  The two Rotary checks were matched by RI District 5960, then that $2,500 was added to money Good Samaritan had raised to buy a “Somatron Vibroacoustic Chair,” a high-tech musical recliner which allows users to both hear and feel the vibration of music.  In technical terms, the system sends music from a compact disc player through a recliner, mat or wedge while converting it to “tactile sensations which send stimulating and soothing vibrations through the entire body of the person receiving the treatment.”

In ordinary language “it’s wonderful,” said Kay Hirte, wheel-chair-bound Good Samaritan resident who demonstrated the therapy chair for the two Rotary presidents.  “I’ll just stay right here.”

Good Samaritan music therapist Erin Fox has slightly different ideas.  “We’ll use it for residents suffering from chronic pain, anxiety and depression.”  Experience with a mat, which Good Samaritan had borrowed earlier, showed beneficial relief from all three for residents who tried the musical therapy.  “In one extraordinary case,” said Erin, “a deaf resident was actually able to ‘feel’ the music.  Treatments were a joy for him.”