Youth Orchestra tells heart transplant boy’s story with music
By Hamilton Kahn
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ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (KOAT) — Thanks to the magic of music, nine-year-old Hunter Rael’s story of his heart transplant — in his own words, with imaginative enhancement — filled Popejoy Hall with love and admiration on Sunday.
Hunter is still recovering from the transplant in Denver with his mother, Anna Moya, but they were able to be there virtually.
The Albuquerque Youth Orchestra’s original music, with student Carlos Hovey reciting Hunter’s story, moved the audience and transcended the medical ordeal he experienced after he was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease. Here’s an excerpt:
“For a couple of years, I did pretty well after being diagnosed, but during a routine CT scan, the doctors found out I needed a heart … Now I can’t do any activity at all, not even jump rope. That makes me sad.”
The story continues with Hunter saying he got into playing Minecraft, hanging out with his brother and cousin, and listening to Jelly Roll.
“Even though I can’t do a lot of things now, I know what I want to do when I grow up — be a police officer, because they help me. This is what I’m thinking about right when I start to go sleeping, right before my surgery. Everything goes away.
“Nice shot. Stop. Run to arrest. Get on the floor and make sure all the civilians are safe first, then chase the robber down the street. I’m very fast, but I still call for backup to make sure we keep the city safe. I yell at the radio, ‘Officer Noah, I need backup now.’ Just when I’m about to lose the robber, Officer Noah kills me.
“Together we save the day and catch the bank robber. Then, something amazing happens. I imagine I’m getting hurt, and it turns me into Iron Man. I find fans. A very bad guy is with us. He’s trying to take over the world and turn everyone into dust. With my super strong, brand-new heart, I win the battle against Thanos and save the world.”
Hunter’s mom, Anna, told KOAT about the joy, appreciation and compassion she felt from the orchestra’s performance.
“Pretty awesome. Pretty cool to hear Hunter’s story and the music,” Anna said. “It really touches the heart. They went out of their way to make a cool story about Hunter. It’s very humbling to know that they care about Hunter so much. They were able to do this for him and make it special for him and tell his story.”
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