Music transforms life for deaf, blind woman

With a guitar slung over her shoulder, Michelle Teta kneels before her friend, 83-year-old Letizia Domino. She leans so close that Mrs. Domino can touch her fingers to the musician's larynx and place her left hand tightly on the curve of the instrument.

Mrs. Teta begins to strum a rendition of a Christian pop song, "Awesome God," and raises her voice as loud as it can go.

Mrs. Domino, who is blind and deaf, smiles, an ear-to-ear affair that draws a happy look from Angela Bornn, her niece and full-time caretaker.

"It's all happiness for Auntie," Mrs. Bornn. "All happiness."

Christmas meeting

Mrs. Teta, a music teacher in Catholic schools, and Mrs. Domino have formed a bond of language, music and laughter: Mrs. Teta tutors Mrs. Domino in music; in turn, she teaches Mrs. Teta sign language.

The partnership began at Christmas Mass at St. Anthony's parish in Schenectady, where both are members. Mrs. Teta, who was playing clarinet, found her gaze drawn to Mrs. Bornn and Mrs. Domino. The latter was praying the Rosary and following the liturgy through a Braille prayer book. Mrs. Teta wondered if Mrs. Domino had ever touched a clarinet.

"I had to meet them," Mrs. Teta recalled.

"She just waltzed right over to us and showed Auntie the clarinet," said Mrs. Bornn.

Friendship

Mrs. Domino, who became deaf as an infant and was completely blind at 55, lived in Queens for most of her life.

After her husband Michael died eight years ago, she lived independently for a while. But when her family heard how she still shoveled snow or lit candles in front of devotional statues, they asked if she would live with her niece in Schenectady.

The transition -- from an entire house to a single room -- wasn't easy at first. But it became easier, said Mrs. Bornn, when Mrs. Teta came into their lives.

Since then, she said, their house "has been filled with music and incredible friendships."

Good vibrations

Due to her disabilities, Mrs. Domino's experiences with music have been through vibrations and rhythms instead of sound. For example, she plays the trumpet by placing its bell onto a tabletop so her free hand can feel the reverberations on the wood.

She has also tried the violin, guitar and drums. After each try with an instrument, she clasps her hands together and laughs.

"It's a whole new world, and it's great to see it happening in front of us," said Mrs. Teta.

"I like music," Mrs. Domino signed, translated by Mrs. Bornn. "It's so different than me. It's a new experience. I like to play with Michelle."

Signing

The first night Mrs. Teta began her signing lessons, Mrs. Domino -- for whom signing is a first language -- started with challenging words, like "Czechoslovakia."

"I opened the book of signing," said Mrs. Teta, "and she wanted to teach the whole language right away."

The teacher is passing on her growing signing skills to her students.

In the band

Some of the students met Mrs. Domino when she played with the band at St. Helen's School in Niskayuna.

The concert was based on "how you can see and hear Jesus in your heart," said Mrs. Teta. For one number, Mrs. Domino was invited to the stage to keep a beat going in the percussion section.

"She has excellent rhythm," said Mrs. Teta.

Friends

"Michelle means so much to Auntie because she represents a true friend and an educator," said Mrs. Bornn.

Mrs. Teta said that creating the friendships has to help her heal from her father's death last August.

"I think God knows when we need something," she said. "For me, there's no coincidence with God. We were meant to know each other and flourish in friendship. It was joy I needed, and joy I found."

Sanctuary

The idea of music as both a challenge and a sanctuary is something Mrs. Teta hopes to impart to her students, including Mrs. Domino.

"What are the things that could never be taken away from you? God -- and music," Mrs. Teta said. "Letizia confirms that. They can get you through everything."

(Besides St. Helen's in Niskayuna, Mrs. Teta teaches at St. Mary's in Ballston Spa and Sunnyside Center in Troy. She also coordinates the Father Flanigan Band at St. Augustine's in Troy.)

(3/15/07) [[In-content Ad]]