The Healing Power of Music

In July 2023, Kelli was 25 weeks pregnant with her son Knox when a routine prenatal visit turned into a terrifying ordeal. Her blood pressure was dangerously high, a sign of preeclampsia, a complication of pregnancy that can be fatal for both mother and baby. 

Kelli was rushed by ambulance from her doctor’s office to a Phoenix hospital, where Knox was delivered by C-section and taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Because he was born so early, Knox faced many serious health problems. Eventually, he was transferred to Phoenix Children’s NICU—the state’s only Level IV NICU, which offers the highest level of care for complex neonatal conditions.    

Moments of comfort and connection

Amidst the tubes, monitors, and sleepless nights, a small but powerful act made a world of difference for Knox and his family. Thanks to Phoenix Children's Therapeutic Arts Program—a donor-funded program that brings the healing power of music and art to patients and their families—Knox’s parents were given a microphone that they used to record themselves singing and reading stories to him. When his family couldn’t be by his bedside, Knox’s nurses played the recordings to comfort him.  

“We were very grateful for that sense of connection,” Kelli says.    

Knox was finally able to go home with his family when he was 8 months old. Now 2 years old, he is a rambunctious toddler with a mischievous streak. His family says he rules the house “like a tiny king, barking orders at his peasants.” His antics have earned him the nickname “Knox the Destroyer.”  

Music, which made such a difference for Knox when he was in the NICU, continues to play an important role in his life. “He’s obsessed with music and will dance to just about anything, especially early 2000s hip-hop,” says Kelli.    

A transformational journey 

At home, Knox continues to make remarkable progress. He is off nearly all tube feeds, and he is weaning off ventilator support. His care team says he's unlikely to face any long-term effects from his premature birth when he’s older. 

For Kelli, watching Knox thrive is the joy of her life.    

“It’s hard to put into words just how deeply this journey has transformed me. I’ve discovered a strength and a kind of love I never knew I had,” she says. “I'm in absolute awe of our son—his resilience, his spirit and all he’s overcome.”