Thank you for your posting on dystonia in musicians. I had studied
piano since age 5, and played all of my life. After obtaining
a Bachelor of Music Performance, I went on to graduate school.
By age 23, my right hand wasn't what it used to be, and I blamed
myself for not being able to play
up to par. I decided that I should seek a new vocation, and obtained
a Bachelor of Science in physics. I continued to play well for
some years, but by the time I was thirty, my right hand (fingers
3, 4 and 5) would not function properly. I fell into a deep depression.
I was finally diagnosed with focal dystonia, and I tried everything
from Klonopin to Botox. Nothing worked.
My wife and I bought a house two years ago, and much to my surprise,
a violinist in the Pittsburgh Symphony lived two doors down. I
decided to begin violin lessons with him in 1996. I am now the
proud owner of a beautiful Helmuth Keller violin (being a Sr.
Engineer now, I could afford a
decent fiddle), and I love playing it. I still find it frustrating
that I cannot play the piano anymore, but I've found a new discipline
of music that I can enjoy just as much if not more. I have learned
to welcome the challenge of "starting over".
Fortunately I have no problems bowing whatsoever from the dystonia.
It is becoming very natural, and my right hand still remains relaxed.
I found your letter about the violinist with dystonia inspiring
in that he/she would make the best of a bad situation. If you
would like to share my letter with others, you may feel free to
do so.
Best Regards,
Ronald Birkelbach