Almost The End Of A Career!
In late 1985 Joe began to notice that the index finger of his right picking hand was starting to slow down. Within the year he was unable to use it at all. There was no pain; it just refused to move when he was trying to play his instruments. He saw several hand specialists over the next few years and tried many holistic approaches but because nothing would show up in x-rays and because there was no pain, no one could help him. Joe was continually able to adapt his technique over the years by using only his thumb and middle finger and then relearning by incorporating his ring finger as well. Then in 2003 the condition moved into his right thumb. Needless to say, this was the kiss of death as there was no way he could play without the use of his thumb. It was so severe that often his thumb would just freeze and would not even touch the string. After getting an extensive physical and then being tested for all neuro-muscular diseases (all of which came up negative, thank God), Joe was encouraged to have some additional neurological testing. The diagnosis was Focal Dystonia, an insidious neurological disorder that, while not life threatening, still leaves the victim unable to use that part of their body. Through internet research Joe found two neuro-scientists, Dr. Nancy Byl, UC San Francisco, CA and Dr. Steven Frucht, Columbia University Hospital NYC. They were able to confirm the diagnosis and give him more insight into what was going on.
At that time Focal Dystonia was a relatively new condition that the scientific world was just beginning to learn about. Many professional musicians are affected by this condition, and for most, it is career-ending. The condition for Joe was brought on by repetitive use of the picking fingers of his right hand. The theory is that the region of the brain that controls his thumb and index fingers began to smear over the years of prolonged hard practice/performing, and over time, the brain gets confused and begins trying to make the affected fingers do both movements simultaneously (downward to pick the string and upward to release it), thus freezing the fingers. Joe also found David Leisner, a classical guitarist in NYC who himself had the condition and who discovered a way through it by relearning how to play using different muscles. Joe went to study with David immediately and learned a whole new way of playing which then took several years of slow tedious practice. Now Joe has totally relearned how to play and as you might imagine, is ecstatic and feels as though he’s been given a real second chance at his life’s work and passion.
Through all this Joe learned how much music really means to him. And that not being able to play, if even for himself, and not be able to create the music with his wife Hannah as Acoustic Eidolon, was just not an option. These things motivated Joe and continue to motivate him to never take his abilities for granted and to stay vigilant against Focal Dystonia.
2010 Acoustic Eidolon. All rights reserved.
