David,
When I saw my 1st signs of synkenisis I knew that
this was it – and that finding a neuromuscular facial retraining therapist would help me to “manage†this from getting worse …but there was not a complete cure. I have better control of my face and some things are staying re-wired but I will never have 100% symmetry or completely
normal facial animation again. But similar to being a musician it takes regular practice to maintain this.
Please read this article again
http://www.ophth.wisc.edu/publications/fs_summer_04.pdfNeuromuscular Retraining and Botox:
powerful pair in treating facial paralysis by Elizabeth KoenigQuote from that article
“...After nine years of traveling to the Madison
clinics, Niesen says she will continue to make
the trip to see Diels and Dr. Lucarelli. “Jackie
and Dr.Lucarelli are a good team – they work
hand-in-hand to provide the best treatment
for my individual situation,†Niesen says.
Her treatment has allowed Niesen to continue
singing – but not in solo roles in musicals or
plays where all eyes would be on her. “I’m still
not able to show full emotion,†she says.
However, she does sing masterpieces with
the 150-member Dudley Birder Chorale, an
audition-only group in Green Bay that
performs at St.Norbert College in De Pere
and the Weidner Center in Green Bay. “My
appearance is much better and my face is
more relaxed since the Botox injections,â€
Niesen says. “I feel grateful about how far
I’ve come.â€■
The first day I could not form a proper embrasure to make a sound with my flute was devastating: …
• … From there the 1st time I could not listen to my favorite concert pianist, Jon Kimura Parker, in stereo (only mono)
I came home from his concert in absolute tears (well one eye teared anyway…
)
• … Facial issues affecting my public speaking
• … Balance in dance moves and the …hyperacusis interfering with all my performing arts abilities
• … No directional sound to hear cue on stage or students asking me questions
• … The list of CON’s goes on.
However I had a very good life in the arts
Know that a NEW LIST is forming of
PRO’s … and I know that there are still other arts forms: visual, literary etc. that I can apply those skills to.
Before this whole AN journey I would
never have guessed that I would so enjoy working in a library… as I was so busy performing I never actually had enough time to read … and writing … well that required too much quiet time. But you know I am discovering a whole new art form… and I actually like the quiet (ok ok I have hyperacusis to thank for that
) and I know my senses are so much more aware to other things and forms of expression.
It is important that you realistically grieve what you have lost but know that there is a whole other part to your acting experience that you can apply to other parts of your life …and yes even your career and vocation. After reading YOUR article in ANA Notes- I have no doubt that you are an accomplished writer ready to be more published… and yes even write screen plays if you choose.
Midlife career changes are not the end of the world… but they can be turbulent.
You are going to develop a new vocational side to you that you never perhaps realized you had. No one can strip you of what you have accomplished in your acting career before the tumor… You can apply that expertise to another art form. That creative and expressive side of you IS still there. You are just going to have to find new skills and a different media to express this.
You have
every right to feel sad and grieve what you have lost. HUGS ...But know there is a new path you are going to explore that you never dreamed you would. Keep moving forward David… If you look back too much you will become sad and depressed about disabilities. Keep moving forward and find out what your other ABILITIES are.
Sincere HUGS. You ARE going to get through this and it is totally OK to express your frustrations here.
Another HUG.
Keep moving forward.
DHM
P.S. “
Keep moving forward†comes from
Meet the RobinsonsLyrics to read as you listen to the music
http://www.lyricsmania.com/soundtracklyrics/meet_the_robinsons_soundtrack_lyrics_1137/little_wonders_rob_thomas_lyrics_17452.htmlHere is the video clip on you tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsT2URr1IgcPPS
Mayor Sam Sullivan of Vancouver BC Canada is a man who became a quadriplegic after an accident- before that accident he was a competitive skier. He sunk into a depression for a while there ... until he realized he had other gifts. Believe-you-me he was very instrumental in getting the Winter Olympics to his city (and country) for this upcoming year.
Read his biography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_SullivanHere is a famous CBC documentary video of him flying the Olympic flag and some background info...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3701104962090824149&ei=g8e1Sp5RhJyoA9SflYIC&q=mayor+of+vancouver+bc+winter+olympics&hl=en&client=safari#docid=2241261049386501040Here is his website
http://www.samsullivan.ca/goal-artsHe has the ultimate “
keep moving forward†spirit… doesn’t he?
