By Karen Stokes

Jonathan Hood, plays piano at Ascension St. Josephs (Photo by Karen Stokes)

Beautiful music has a calming effect and calm is important to hospital health care providers and patients. Jonathan Hood, a sickle cell patient is giving back to the hospital where he spent time by sharing his talent playing piano in the lobby at Ascension St. Josephs Hospital.

The reason I play at hospitals is I feel indebted, said Hood.

The nurses, doctors and administrative staff are there all day and night, they do so much and they have people screaming and swearing at them. Ive actually done those things to nurses and doctors.

Hood has spent a great deal of his life in hospitals due to his diagnosis of Sickle Cell. With Sickle Cell Disease, the hemoglobin is abnormal, causing the red blood cells to be rigid and shaped like a C or sickle. Sickle cells can get stuck and block blood flow, causing pain and infections.

According to hemotology.com, approximately 70,000 to 100,000 Americans have sickle cell disease, the most common form of an inherited blood disorder.

When I play I hope I can alleviate stress. I love to play because it stops my pain. I feel a sense of serenity and theres no pain anymore, said Hood.

[From left to right] Theresa Barnett, Jonathan Hood, Jasmira Hood, Caleb Hood, Patrice Hood and Kevin Kluesner, St. Joseph Hospital Chief Administrative Officer (Photo by Karen Stokes)

Hood, 32, has an eclectic taste in music. From classical, jazz and gospel to soft rock. He also plays at Feed My Sheep Ministry Church where his stepfather, Carlton Barnett pastors.

When Im playing the piano I can connect to God, Hood said.

When asked what a good day for him looks like, Hood said, A good day is a day where I can be in as little pain as possible and be as productive as possible, firing on all cylinders. Im able to spend time with my wife, Jasmira and my son, Caleb and I get to go to work. Thats a pretty good day for me.

Employed at Russ Darrow Kia, Hood has a great working relationship with his supervisor and staff.

The entire staff is very welcoming, its like a family, he said.

Theres no one way to beat Sickle Cell. Its a fight. Its a battle everyday, Hood said. I dont necessarily feel Im winning the fight but its my mom, dad, stepfather, sister, grandmother, wife and son, my family that encourages me to fight everyday. Its real.

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Sickle Cell Patient Gives the Gift of Music at Ascension St. Joseph - Milwaukee Courier Weekly Newspaper