In college I
signed up for one of the required courses for an education major: 'Music for
the Elementary Teacher.' The course was taught by a gentleman who appeared to
be around the age of 60. On the first day of class he gave everyone a syllabus,
then began to go through the assignments we'd be working on throughout the
semester. About halfway through that initial class he shared that every student
would be required to play a simple song on the piano in front of their peers
during the last week of class. He added that one would have to complete this
task to pass the course. My first thought?
I have no
chance of getting a passing grade. None.
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I was born with
a neurological condition called bimanual synkinesis. It is also known as
'Mirror Movements'. A person who has this condition cannot control the movement
of one hand, because it's doing the same thing as your other hand. For example,
when I squeeze one hand in and out, the other hand will squeeze too.
My parents
noticed it before my first birthday. I've seen old home videos that show me
lifting a rattle or toy to my mouth and the other arm doing the same thing.
Around the age
of four my mother took me in to see the doctor to learn more about this
condition. She doesn't recall much about what he said, other than the fact he
wanted to do a case study on me. She refused, fearing that such a study may
damage my self esteem.
I first noticed
that my hands and arms moved differently than others around the age of seven. I
don't recall other kids teasing me or it ever really being a big problem. I
remember trying to learn to play the guitar (epic fail), having difficulty
climbing a ladder, and being completely unable to shuffle a deck of cards
properly, but it was never anything that made me feel funny or 'different' at
any point during childhood. I recall being fearful of taking typing class in
high school, but I learned that the motion of pressing down on a key with one hand
was so light that it didn't force the other hand's fingers to do the same.
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During the walk
back to my dorm room after that initial music class, my mind was full of anxiety
and worry. I wondered how I'd be able to play the song on the piano properly.
It troubled me so much that later that day I went back to the Arts and Music
building and began practicing on one of the pianos that was available for
students.
After a half
hour or so of repeated efforts, I realized there was no way I could play the
song. In order to play it properly, one's hands had to be doing two different
things simultaneously. No matter how long or hard I practiced, there was no
physical way I could play the song properly.
A day or two
later I met the instructor during office hours. I was nervous and I'm sure it
showed. I opened by explaining that I was born with bimanual synkinesis, then
showed him some examples of how my hands worked. He listened quietly and
intently; I got the impression he didn't believe me initially, but as I
continued to show him examples he nodded his head in understanding.
I concluded by
stating that I had practiced earlier in the week, but realized there was simply
no way I could play the song as requested. I asked if there was an alternate
task I could do in place of playing the piano, then waited anxiously for his
reply.
It turned out
that he was very understanding of my unique situation. He told me that he'd
like me to learn to play the song with one hand, and that if I did so correctly
he would give me an 'A' for the task. He followed up by sharing that he had
never come across anyone with such a condition before, but that it wouldn't be
fair to penalize someone for something they are not physically capable of
doing.
So the story
ended happily. I played the song with my right hand when that last week of the
semester arrived. I still recall one girl saying to me after class, "You
didn't play it right." I just smiled at her and said, "I did the best
I could."
Sometimes in
life, that's all you can do.
P.S.-Here's a youtube video I made 2-3 years ago that shows a brief glimpse of life with bimanual synkinesis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWvi6xXL_pk
