Hello !!!  This is my first submission to this list.  Let me tell you abo=
ut myself.  I teach elementary general music, grades 1 - 6; I also teach =
private guitar and piano lessons (presently 15 students);  I also teach =
evening college classes in Psychology and Music Appreciation (one or two =
classes a week depending on whether I'm teaching both courses in the same=
 semester); I have also taught graduate-level counselor education courses=
 at Emporia State University in Kansas ("Individual and Group Appraisal" =
and "Management of Counseling Programs") as an interim instructor; I was =
once a school counselor (and have always hoped to return to that someday)=
; I have done some private counseling with children and families; I am =
going to lead a parenting class for a tri-county mental health center in =
the fall; in other words, I've maintained a very busy life.  I also used =
to direct a church bell choir and play guitar in a country/rock band on =
weekends.  My wife and I have six children, four of which will be in coll=
ege this next fall - we will just have one left at home and he'll be a =
junior in HS.  I love Irish and Celtic music and I love to play my guitar=
 and sing.  My wife is a wonderful hammered-dulcimer player and we occasi=
onally perform for churches, social groups, private gatherings, etc., and=
 we enjoy going to music workshops.  We even spent two weeks in Ireland =
in 1996, just driving around, visiting the pubs and enjoying the music.
About six weeks ago I was diagnosed with PD.  It was no surprise to me, =
I have been having tremors in my right foot for about three years and the=
 tremor in my hand started last summer.  My doctor and I at first attribu=
ted it to being a side effect of my asthma  medication (serevent), but =
it was only on one side of my body.  He finally refered me to the KU Med =
center in Kansas City and I was diagnosed.  I am now involved in a 5-year=
 study on Tasmar and am taking Sinemet.
My biggest concern is my future as a musician.  I am noticing considerabl=
e impairment in playing the piano - but the Sinemet does help some.  My =
students at school have noticed my tremor for about the last three months=
 - I've explained it away to them as the asthma medication scenario, and =
they seem satisfied.
I would really like to hear from other educators and musicians.  What did=
 you do to adjust? Teaching music is very stressful at times, and that's =
when the tremor seems to amplify.

Thanks-

Randall Ford  ([log in to unmask])