VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — It’s Thanksgiving week — a time to give thanks and be grateful for all we care about and those who in turn, care for us too. And care can come in many forms, including musical.
We ventured out to Virginia Beach for this week’s Everyday Hero who gives the gift of her talents and her time for one special little boy.
Watch previous coverage: Two suspects charged in shooting of Landyn Davis appear in court
“It's contagious. Every time he smiles, I smile,” said Amy Reineberg. “Look at him!”
Reineberg has been teaching piano for years.
She used to teach music at Holland Elementary School, and that’s where she met Landyn Davis.
Watch previous coverage: Family of Landyn Davis frustrated after suspect in case receives bond
“Music has always been a big part of my life, and I wanted to do something, to help him and to help his family and to bring joy,” she told me.
In February, Landyn was shot in the head by a stray bullet while playing video games inside his own home.
“What he has been able to handle and to overcome and his strength and his family strength, and to be able to continue on and to, I mean, he smiles all the time,” Reineberg said.
Watch previous coverage: More than 3 months after being shot in the head, 8-year-old Landyn Davis returns home in May
When she heard about what happened, Reineberg says she knew she wanted to help because her own brother lost his life to gun violence.
“The violence in this community, it just, it makes me very angry. I can't do as much as I wish I could, but what I do know is I'm trying to make a difference for him, and, you know, just being part of his life.”
Now Landyn and his family are focusing on his rehabilitation and recovery, and part of that is being done through music.
Watch previous coverage: Parents of 8-year-old shot in Virginia Beach say son is fighting for his life
“I do more of the therapeutic approach,” said Reineberg. “His left hand is very strong where his right hand isn't as strong. And, you know, working through that in terms of gaining more strength for his right hand so but he's learning, you know, whole notes and half notes and being able to play, you know, so it's good.”
They’ve been working together since august when she got the idea to give him lessons.
“She's nice,” Landyn said. “She's a great teacher of how to play piano.”
“He loves them. He looks forward to the piano lessons every week,” said Landyn’s mother Emily Rigsby. “He always asks, Is today Friday? And if it is, he's like, piano is today, and he just has the biggest smile when she walks in the door.”
“I am just amazed by Landyn,” said Amy.
It’s because of her kind heart that why we decided to surprise her with an award for this week’s News 3’s Everyday Hero.
“This is so sweet and kind and generous I wasn't expecting it,” she said about receiving the recognition. “It's using what you have in yourself to help someone else.”
Reineberg is currently getting her master’s degree and considering a career in music therapy because of her experience with Landyn.
