drcello
Registered User
(5/3/01 1:36:02 pm)
Reply | Edit learning with disabilities
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Anyone out there playing the cello in spite of disabilities? I am planning an article on how to learn to play the cello in spite of such problems. Advice and inspiring stories would be welcome.
Marshall C. St. John
drcello@vei.net
Cello Heaven
DoDahlberg
Moderator
(5/3/01 2:54:29 pm)
Reply Re: learning with disabilities
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I have psoriatic arthritis which is currently in remission. How do you want us to answer this - here or privately?
Dorie
drcello
Registered User
(5/4/01 6:10:22 am)
Reply | Edit Let's answer here...
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Sorry about your arth! If folks could answer here on the board in general terms, it might prove helpful to some poor soul passing through.
I have some disabilities, myself, though I rarely think much about it. When I was in college I cut through the tendon and nerve to the little finger on my left hand. It will not lift independently, so that slows me down.
Then about 5 years ago I fell from a ladder and crushed my left shoulder. I still have rods and wire in my upper left arm and shoulder joint. This makes it difficult for me to lift my left arm over the cello for thumb position, but I do barely make it.
My left arm generally hurts every day, no matter what, but of course it hurts all the time when I play the cello. But, I thank God I still have an arm, and can still actually play fairly well.
I'm beginning to have pain in my right shoulder too, and I have a suspicion that it is a problem with the rotator cuff, or tendonitis, but it still works OK, and doesn't hinder my bowing. I just ignore the pain.
My understanding is that a lot of musicians have a variety of disabilities and pains, and just keep on playing anyway.
Best to you,
Marshall
drcello@vei.net
Cello Heaven
MaryK
Registered User
(5/4/01 8:27:47 pm)
Reply Re: learning with disabilities
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I have repetitive strain syndrome in both arms, had tendinitis in my left forearm pretty bad for a while. Took nine years off from playing as a result.
No heartwarming story here, alas. My suggestions are to listen to your body; get medical advice promptly (and follow it!); consult w/your teacher re ways, if any, to modify technique to avoid exacerbating your problem(s); and don't let cello be your life/identity to the extent that you feel like your life is over if you have to give up playing for a while, or forever.
MaryK
DoDahlberg
Moderator
(5/4/01 9:37:50 pm)
Reply Re: learning with disabilities
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Some people here already know this so ignore.
In early 1998, I started having tremendous pain in my hands; couldn't clap them, they were swollen. I started having all kinds of tests. In the end, I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis - I have the skin condition, 10% of the people with the skin condition also develop the arthritis. I was put on all the anti-inflammatory meds but begged the doctor I was seeing to let me try something else. I was so sick from the medication it was like: my hands hurt then I took the medicine and I was sick and my hands still hurt. I went with glusosimine-chondroitin at the time; Dr. thought I was nuts.
In retropect, and with discussions with the rhuematologist (sp), it's pretty clear I had other flares previous years - I just didn't put 2 and 2 together and the flares were less frequent. Psoriatic arthritis is much like the skin disorder; it has a mind of it's own, comes and goes when it feels like it - moves from place to place. A wrist can hurt terribly for 5 weeks or so and I'll wake up one morning and the pain is absolutely gone like it never hurt. Last summer I had a very hard time with my hips and my left hand starting with my middle finger and across the back of the hand - very painful when playing cello so I didn't play and went through a crisis about whether I should continue. Then, of course, the pain went away. In December 1999, I had very severe back pain - that time I went to an acupunturist who was amazing. I've been taking glucosimine-chondroitin since 1998 but I'm not saying that this is a cure. I've cut back on it to 1/3 the dosage that's all the rage. I take one Aleve everyday. When I have a flare I take one at night also. I've also noticed I need a lot more sleep then I used to. I start to fall to pieces at around 9 p.m. (This is unusual for me to be up this late.)
I get a lot of exercise. I do resistance work to strengthen the muscles around my joints. As a former runner; I've replaced it with rollerblading. I tried to go back to running but it's clear that I can't do it any more.
I am going to try to stay off anti-inflammatory medication for as long as I can. I almost caved-in last summer. I'm now wondering if I'm going to have another tough summer. I've noticed I've had the hardest time when the heat and humidity kicks in here in the northeast.
I'm going to keep playing the cello. I'm going to keep doing everything I can or some form of it. I once was a tennis junkie and although I need a...PARTNER! I'm also a little afraid of it hurting my right wrist - that's always been the more sensitive one.
I expect there to be ups and downs with this. This condition and it's flares are stress related too. I've got myself in a pretty good place mentally. I tend to be on the high energy end of the spectrum but I'm much more accepting of my limits and I've learned there are great benefits in practicing patience. I'm so much more willing to give myself a break than I used to. Maybe it's my age but I even though I notice I've lost flexibility, I've had some serious pain, I always have some sort of stiffness/minor pain...I feel extremely healthy these days. It's an attitude thing. Dorie