Former resident returns as music therapist

Laura Tull knows her story is unusual: Not many 26-year-old women spend months in a nursing home to recover from life-threatening complications of childbirth. She thankfully survived and, in another twist, has become an employee at the place where she recovered in 2016. 

“I had worked in a nursing home as a music therapist. But you never imagine at age 26 and just having a baby that you would need to live in one,” says Laura.  

“I was in a lot of pain while relearning how to walk. I also hadn’t been home with my baby,” she recalls. “Somehow, the staff at Martin Suites made it a lot easier. They were able to convince me to do therapy even though it was painful. And I still liked them. That’s hard to manage, but they did it.”    

Laura spent four months at Martin Suites. She continued outpatient therapy for years to regain more function.   Just when she was venturing out to return to work, the pandemic hit – and her compromised immunity delayed those plans.  

Earlier this year, Laura posted on Facebook about updating her resume, and employee Megan Grimm told her of the opening at Western Home Communities.  Laura applied immediately and started the job part-time on May 2.  

Her life-altering experience has changed her approach to the job. 

“I wasn’t physically disabled before, so I didn’t know how much disability affected things,” she explains. Laura has kept some therapy techniques and modified others as she works with residents of Deery Suites, The Cottages, Martin Suites and Thalman Square. 

“It’s pretty cool to be back. Coming here for care was a big part of my life,” Laura reflects.  “I learned to push my baby in a stroller here, and I was able to feed her solid food for the first time.” 

Laura’s new goals include building her strength so she can work full-time; she’s even back in therapy to learn how to walk backward while playing guitar. She’d like to eventually ditch the crutch she still uses. Then she hopes to grow the music therapy department, eventually offering the service to more residents, outpatients and even people in their homes.