Well I did it! I've started full time back to school. In some ways it's the best thing I have done in years. I'm enjoying every minute of it. The homework really isn't terrible. In fact it's a lot easier than the old work days I used to put in.

There are so many young innocent people around it's amazing to see them entering into the new world for them. Most of my professors are older, and they sometimes have to "dumb" down their explanations for the kiddies. It's kind of funny being the oldest one in most of my classes.

The amount of walking I have to do is quite amazing as well. I have to travel between two campuses which I do by bus, but then have to walk quite a distance and then climb stairs. By the end of the week, I'm quite pooped out but feel pretty good overal except for the painful stiffness in my hips, legs, and arms.

Anyway, I've also started piano lessons. This is the first time I'm studying with someone in over 10 years. Overall the first lesson went very well. My teacher is very pleased with my playing abilities and says that I am very advanced.

She noticed how I play very stiffly with little arm movement, and my playing is very finger-oriented. This is contrary to the new-school of playing which is more arm movement with less finger movement. This technqiue works well for the early keyboard instruments, but not well for the modern piano. My first teacher taught me this method. I have since studied with other people who played more relaxed and when I finally caught on to the "motion", I did very well. However, the problem now is the PD. It affects my arm movement. I told her about it right away, I have nothing to hide, how it affects movement.

I can't seem to move my arms without hesitation and stiffness, which I feel in my neck and bicep muscles. I'm working on some exercises to help loosen things up so hopefully this will help.

She also made a comment about my pedaling. I tended to blurr over some chord changes, which is a totally wrong thing to do. I didn't say anything this time because I didn't want to make the PD appear to be an excuse, but as you all know that foot and leg motion is also affected. I can't seem to move my feet as fast as I used to. I have exercises for this too, and hopefully I can get some more movement back.

So all I can say is if you can go back to school do it even if it's only for a non-credit course or program. It's fun being around the kiddies again and the mental work out is the best. Now if I can get the motion back into my body parts I'll be even happier.

John

Hi John,

Up since 2:30 wondering what to do with my life post-diagnosis and post-career. I am cheered by your example. Congratulations and best wishes for the fall semester!

Rose

Hi John,
It is wonderful that you are enjoying your back to school life and back to music lessons. It seems like this is what you love to do!

Just as you, I too enjoy being around young students and I always had undergrad students in my lab. It was fun and I learnt a lot by teaching them! Your post about school brought back a lot of nice memories of University life. Thanks!

Good luck with school and your music lessions!

Girija

Hi Rose,
I saw your post and felt I had to give my two cents. Well, a cent and a half anyway.
Do anything your heart desires. Having PD is NOT a death sentence. We don't have to curl up in a ball and hide form the world. (even though it feels like we should some days) It does and will change the way we go about doing things. We just have to find a better way sometimes. The best advice that was given to me when I was at the point you are now was, Keep moving!
Just keep moving and doing whatever it takes.

Congratulations John, I spent a few days on a college campus recently. I was amazed just how much being around the kids energized me



GregD