On
Feb 22nd, A Forever Recovery and BALANCE Edutainment are bringing together
music, sports, and entertainment celebrities such as Jim Brown, Nickelodeon’s
Big Time Rush, Cathy Rigby, and Leeza Gibbons at the Beverly Hilton to
celebrate the launch of the Children’s Hospitals Program “Imagination Heals.”
Imagination
Heals centers on providing inspiration and positive reinforcement at a critical
time in a child’s life. This includes but is not limited to music and stories
that can reduce depression/anxiety, offer relief from chronic pain, and
outpatient visits and inpatient care. To that end, Imagination Heals is donating
10,000 CD’s of “Pacha’s Pajamas,” the story of a young girl whose magical
pajamas transport her to a global festival organized for and by plants and
animals. The humorous and entertaining musical instills positive messages about
the importance of following our dreams, our connection with the natural world
and the power of creative expression.
Every
dream come true contains a heart. In this case the dream’s heartbeat belongs to
entertainer, author and ecologist Aaron Ableman, aka ANatural, and his
multitalented team of entertainers, musicians, a former VP at Atari, marketing
specialists, and conservation enthusiasts. “Pacha’s Pajamas” is the culmination
of Ableman’s love of helping children, and the beginning of a concerted effort
to aid in bringing relief and hope to hospitalized children. Inspired by his
mother, a healthcare nurse, Aaron has become a regular at hospitals where he
performs for kids who need and deserve a smile.
Q)
Mr. Wickstrom, you overcame addiction and have devoted your life to helping
others find the same freedom. Imagination Heals focuses on children and their
battle with health obstacles. What inspired this expansion of your interests?
A)
Shining a light on the efforts of ‘Imagination Heals’ to bring hope and joy to
the lives of ill and challenged children throughout the U.S. is the motivation
behind this [program].
Q)
Aaron, through your voluntary efforts at hospitals you obviously display a
concern for children. What transformed that concern to “Pacha’s Pajamas” and
Imagination Heals?
A)
I grew up around music, storytelling, and the service of others. My mother’s a
nurse and my father a farmer/author. Imagination especially music gave me a
voice and a way to connect with people. Music and stories were as much a part
of my transition from child to adult as growing out of my PJ’s. “Pacha’s
Pajamas” provided an entirely new level of connecting with children through the
book, the CD, and live performances of the story as well.
Q)
Fifty-five people including celebrities like Mos Def contributed to the CD
version of “Pacha’s
Pajamas.”
How on earth did you pull that together?
A)
Grace of God, and people who believe as I do that children are the future! I
reached out anywhere and everywhere to my entertainment networks and some of my
favorite artists responded “YES!”
Q)
What do you think Balance Edutainment, the name under which you and your team
work, brings to the table?
A)
Children are uplifted by music and stories. Thanks to people like Per
Wickstrom, Jim Brown, Mos Def, and so many others, not the least of whom is our
CEO and Executive Producer Dave Room, Balance Edutainment is able to bring top
level entertainment to children in the form of books, CDs, web shows, viral
videos and live musical productions. Though Imagination Heals is being launched
in ten major cities, we hope to see the program expand to any and all places
where children could use a little inspiration. That’s our goal. First, last,
and everything in between, it’s about the kids.
Q)
What was it about Imagination Heals and “Pacha’s Pajamas” that took you from
moral support to active involvement?
A)
The world needs each of us to participate, with whatever gifts we can share. My
gift is as a storyteller, a musician and a voice for the planet at this
critical time. This work allows me to serve in a big BIG way!
Q)
Aaron, any parting comments for our readers?
A)
Never give up on your dreams and the most powerful nation on earth is the
Imagination!
DA Kentner is an
award-winning author www.kevad.net
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