Music gives Winnipeg teen living with down syndrome a way to express herself

WINNIPEG — 17-year-old Brooklyn Vanreede has learned many of her communication skills through the art of music.

It’s no surprise how excited she was when her and her mom, Tammy Wasylowski, were winners of the 680 CJOB contest to win tickets to the Garth Brooks concert.

More than 100 fans submitted videos for the contest, but their video submission was the one that stood out.

2:53 Music gives Winnipeg teen living with down syndrome a way to express herself

WATCH: Video 17-year-old Brooklyn Vanreede sent in to 680 CJOB to win tickets to Garth Brooks in Winnipeg.

“Brookyln is this amazing child and we’ve had our share of problems, medically, and she’s been through things adults don’t have to deal with in her 17 years. As a mom if I can give her the world, that’s my job,” said Wasylowski.

For Brooklyn, winning those six tickets to Garth Brooks’ concert was the result of a mom trying to give her teenager the world. The concert, and anything musical, holds an extra special spot in Brooklyn’s heart because of her connection with music.

Her Neurologic Music Therapist, Nicole Richards said through music, “we’re actually creating new pathways, strengthening new pathways, so speech and those new phrases can be part of her everyday life, in only a way music can do for her.”

Brooklyn has been able to work on building life skills and speech through her music therapy classes with Bang A Beat, where she meets with her teacher and practices everyday phrases she can use in her life to give her the chance to be independent in her future.