Re: I can’t play now
Not comparable in extent of injury, but nearly six years ago I "shattered" (doc's description) my left radius and ulna (wrist bones) in a car crash on the Mass Pike. Scared to death I was done playing. A very competent ortho surgeon, who was able to re-set the breaks and not require permanent pinning, helped a lot, but the key was the months of rehab. Two office visits a week, working with some very stressful machines, and even more important, a daily home regimen of stretches and weights, mobility and strength exercises, heating and icing, going on for months.
I have 95% of the wrist and finger mobility I once had, sufficient to keep playing instruments at my former competence level (I was never a virtuoso, but I don't have to worry about chords I can't make, or stretches I can't finger). IMHO the key parts are patience, consistent effort, and motivation. And good health insurance coverage. Even in my 70's, I found my body had the resources to heal and regain function, if I had the motivation to do the needed work.
As to motorcycles, I've lost people I know to the risks of riding them. And I've lost people to the "joys" of cigarettes and alcohol, as well. What choices we make -- well, we will know the consequences of them, but that information can arrive too late to allow for reconsideration of choices.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
Bookmarks