Jenny Plume, music therapist at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, recently accepted a special donation to the hospital’s music therapy program. A zendrum (a handcrafted electronic instrument used to play percussion) and amplifier were presented to Plume by the parents of Brett “Bubba” Morton, who passed away on Aug. 27 after a yearlong battle with osteoblastic osteosarcoma.

Through the donation, Brett’s parents Sherry and Steve Morton, and Brett’s brother, Brad, and sister Brandi, carried out one of Brett’s final wishes. A talented musician, he actively participated in the Children’s Hospital’s music therapy program led by Jenny Plume. Brett’s zendrum was one of his most prized possessions. 
 
“Brett was an inspirational person. He is an example of how to live your life to its fullest despite the obstacles that may come before you,” Plume said. “He was incredibly musical and I am so honored to have received this gift from him. It is as unique as he was and his memory will be played loud and clear through the hallways of Children’s Hospital.”
 
Brett was born with retinoblastoma, an eye cancer that eventually required the removal of both his eyes by the age of 5. He also survived a brain tumor at age 5 ½ years old. He never let that stop him from growing up as normally as possible and experiencing all that life had to offer. 
 
“He was quite the kid,” said Brett’s father, Steve Morton. “There’s not a whole lot he didn’t do.”