--- title: "Art’s Encore: A resident’s journey of discovering new passions at Tullamore Community" description: Art Thompson fulfilled his dream of publishing a song with the help of Activation Aide, Fernanda Cunha. image: https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/hubfs/Art%20Thompson%20photo-2.jpg --- - [Our Advertising](http://sienna-living-stage.ecentricarts.com/about-our-advertising) - [News & Press](http://sienna-living-stage.ecentricarts.com/press-room) - [Investors](http://sienna-living-stage.ecentricarts.com/investors) - [Contact Us](http://sienna-living-stage.ecentricarts.com/contact-us) Search Sienna [![sienna-logo](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2203778/Sienna_2019/Images/sienna-logo.svg "sienna-logo")](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog) - [Retirement](https://www.aspiralife.ca/) - [Long Term Care](https://www.siennaliving.ca/long-term-care) - [About Us](https://www.siennaliving.ca/about-us) ![Microphone_Blog Story ](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Microphone_Blog%20Story%20.jpg?width=2000&height=1333&name=Microphone_Blog%20Story%20.jpg "Microphone_Blog Story ") # Art’s Encore: A resident’s journey of discovering new passions at Tullamore Community Posted by [Fernanda Cunha](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/author/fernanda-cunha) on Dec 29, 2023 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)   Art’s Encore: A resident’s journey of discovering new passions at Tullamore Community Arthur “Art” Thompson has lived at Tullamore Community since 2017. Two milestones standout during this time. First, he learned to walk again and second, he recorded a song that is available on major music streaming services. When Art moved into long-term care, he was using a wheelchair and believed he would not walk again. Yet, through dedicated physiotherapy and determination, he regained the use of his legs and confidence. Today, Art can be seen enjoying his extended walks around the community. Igniting the Spark As an activation assistant at Tullamore, I have the privilege of closely working with residents like Art, fostering their independence and engagement in daily aspects of life. I focus on the individual, understanding their unique needs and passions and igniting the spark that drives them. A few years ago, Art rekindled his love for writing. He challenged himself to write one poem daily for a year, a goal he achieved! These poems showcased Art's remarkable creative spirit and were uplifting for residents and team members. I facilitated more experiences for Arthur, such as singing class and discussion groups. I encouraged him to learn the tambourine and proposed he lead a program for residents teaching poetry, a program that is now offered to Tullamore residents in monthly sessions. ![Art Thompson, a resident at Tullamore Community, listening to music on headphones](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Art%20Thompson%20photo-2.jpg?width=221&height=295&name=Art%20Thompson%20photo-2.jpg) Making Music Art's creative journey took an exciting turn when he collaborated with South African musician Josh Weber. Art penned the lyrics for a song and reached out to Josh to compose the melody. When Josh sent him the finished product, "Save the Children," he came to show me. I listened to the recording while thinking how wonderful it would be if more people could hear this music and be inspired by Art's journey. In addition to working as an activation assistant in Tullamore, I am a vocalist with experience in the music industry. I promised him I would help make "Save the Children" available worldwide. The thought delighted him. Cover art for the song was created, and I guided him through the process of distribution. A short time later, the music was available across the globe on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music.  At 71 years old, Art feels like he is starting a new journey. His story demonstrates that long-term care allows residents to continue discovering new parts of their lives. Working in long-term care, I’ve learned that there may be obstacles to overcome as you work toward your goals and dreams, but if you persevere, you'll progress. Save the Children is now available for listening: YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQEspkLgg\_U](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQEspkLgg_U) iTunes - Apple: [https://music.apple.com/us/album/save- the-children-single/1705042980](https://music.apple.com/us/album/save-%20the-children-single/1705042980) [![Cover art for the song, Save The Children](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Arthur%20cover%20art.png?width=279&height=279&name=Arthur%20cover%20art.png)](https://music.apple.com/us/album/save-%20the-children-single/1705042980) Topics: [Long Term Care](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/tag/long-term-care), [Sienna Senior Living](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/tag/sienna-senior-living), [Cultivating Happiness](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/tag/cultivating-happiness), [Life at Sienna](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/tag/life-at-sienna), [Innovative Programs](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/tag/innovative-programs), [Ontario](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/tag/ontario), [music therapy](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/tag/music-therapy), [Tullamore](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/tag/tullamore), [Recreation Therapy](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/tag/recreation-therapy), [Learning](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/tag/learning) [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](https://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fourstories.siennaliving.ca%2Fsienna-senior-living-blog%2Fresident-discovers-new-passion%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fourstories.siennaliving.ca%2Fsienna-senior-living-blog%2Fresident-discovers-new-passion%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) ### Popular Stories [Celebrating our Compassionate Nurses](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/celebrating-compassionate-nurses) May 05, 2024 [Embracing Complexity: Tristan's Commitment to Nursing Excellence](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/embracing-complexity) May 07, 2024 [Six Voices, One Purpose: National Nursing Week (Part 1)](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/national-nursing-week-2025) May 14, 2025 [Indigenous Elder honours Métis culture by sharing it with others](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/indigenous-elder-honours-metis-culture) June 20, 2023 [A Sweet Tradition](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/a-sweet-tradition) September 25, 2025 ### Popular Tags - [Cultivating Happiness (38)](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/tag/cultivating-happiness) - [Life at Sienna (35)](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/tag/life-at-sienna) - [Long Term Care (32)](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/tag/long-term-care) - [Sienna Senior Living (25)](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/tag/sienna-senior-living) - [Ontario (21)](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/tag/ontario) - [Create Community (11)](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/tag/create-community) - [Community (9)](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/tag/community) - [Aspira (8)](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/tag/aspira) - [Aspira Retirement Living (8)](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/tag/aspira-retirement-living) - [Inspiration (8)](https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/tag/inspiration) [![sienna-logo_footer](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2203778/Sienna_2019/Images/sienna-logo_footer.svg "sienna-logo_footer")](https://www.siennaliving.ca) - [Our Locations](https://www.siennaliving.ca/our-locations) - [Retirement](https://www.siennaliving.ca/retirement) - [Long Term Care](https://www.siennaliving.ca/long-term-care) - [Announcements](https://www.siennaliving.ca/covid-19-centre) - [Join Our Team](https://careers.siennaliving.ca/) - [About Us](https://www.siennaliving.ca/about-us) - [News & Press](https://www.siennaliving.ca/press-room) - [Contact Us](https://www.siennaliving.ca/contact-us) Copyright ©2021 Sienna Senior Living - [Privacy Policy](https://www.siennaliving.ca/privacy-policy) - [Accessibility](https://www.siennaliving.ca/about-us/accessibility) - [Investors](https://www.siennaliving.ca/investors) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Fernanda Cunha", "url" : "https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/author/fernanda-cunha" }, "dateModified" : "2023-12-31T14:04:16.100Z", "datePublished" : "2023-12-29T14:51:58.000Z", "headline" : "Art’s Encore: A resident’s journey of discovering new passions at Tullamore Community", "image" : [ "https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/hubfs/Art%20Thompson%20photo-2.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/sienna-senior-living-blog/resident-discovers-new-passion", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://ourstories.siennaliving.ca/hubfs/Sienna-Logo-RGB-2.jpg" }, "name" : "Sienna Senior Living" } } ```