Many public schools around the country are struggling for lack of resources, and the schools in our city are no exception. But that hasn’t stopped a thriving music program in one of our high schools from training some talented musicians.
Back in May, I wrote about Al and my decision to donate my grandfather’s violin and his father’s viola to our local public school system. I haven’t been able to play the violin for decades as my hands have deteriorated. We hoped that the instruments would enable some deserving students to develop their skills. This past Thursday, those hopes were realized, as we got to see and hear our instruments making music once again
It was the annual Winter Concert at our local arts magnet high school, performed in the auditorium of the next-door middle school. I had never been there before, but we had been invited by the program’s director to attend in thanks for our donation.
The building is drab, the auditorium cavernous, with wooden folding seats, a mediocre sound system and an aging grand piano that snapped a string during vigorous playing by the choral director. But the program was full of challenging selections, ranging from Bartók to Sondheim. And the students largely rose to the challenge.
Most impressive was the string orchestra. Their director, who commutes from Boston, has clearly taught the students well. It gave me such pleasure to watch and listen. All the violinists sat up straight, bowed their strings with excellent form and made lovely music. Our instruments sang again.
Equally as important to me, the string orchestra director treated his students and the concert with respect. He dressed smartly in a tuxedo with a red bow tie and cummerbund for the occasion. He had engaged a wonderful professional opera singer, clad in a scarlet gown, to perform Mozart with the group. The students presented her with a bouquet. There was shared pride in all that they had accomplished together.
We left the concert, which included band, choral and orchestra performances as well, feeling really good. Against significant odds, committed teachers are helping dedicated students rise to their full potential. I’m glad that our instruments have found a good new home.
Evelyn Herwitz blogs weekly about living fully with chronic disease, the inside of baseballs, turtles and frogs, J.S. Bach, the meaning of life and whatever else she happens to be thinking about at livingwithscleroderma.com. Please view Privacy Policy here.
Image: Peter Lewis
Such a “good news” post! Thank you!
🙂
Hi Evelyn,
I am considering Hyperbaric oxygen therapy to heal my fingertips necrosis. But because I live in a small town, doctors are not familiar with HBOT. I have lung fibrosis and would like to know if it is a contraindication for HBOT.
Do you have lung fibrosis because you successfully did HBOT for your fingers and did you hear doctors saying lung involvement (i.e. lung fibrosis) may be contraindicated for HBOT?
It is quite urgent as I am trying to find as much as info possible about this. Also if you have an idea where I can search, it would be very helpful too.
Thank you..
Dear Charlotte,
I’m so sorry to hear about your fingertip necrosis. The best way to find HBOT in your region is to search online for Hyperbaric Medical Centers near you. These are often associated with Wound Care Centers. I cannot speak to your question regarding lung fibrosis. While I have some lung scarring, it is not extensive.
It sounds like you may need a wound care specialist to assess your medical situation, treatment options, risks and eligibility for HBOT. You’ll need to find out if your insurance will cover HBOT for your condition (wound care specialists can help you find out), and you’ll also need to find out whether whatever wound care specialists and therapy are available within your region are within your insurance plan’s network. If you get turned down by your insurance, you need physicians in your corner who will go to bat for you in an appeal.
The one other issue to understand is that HBOT is a huge daily commitment. So wherever you go, if you’re able to get approved for the therapy, you’ll either need daily transportation or a place to stay nearby for several weeks.
I hope this is helpful and that you get the urgent medical attention that you need. Take care.
Evelyn
Thanks Evelyn! I live in Europe so my insurance covers HBOT (everything actually). I have already found the HBOT center & wound care center nearby.
The only thing is, no doctors know if my lung fibrosis are an absolute contraindication or not. This is what I need to find out by searching on internet. I know in the US, you are more familiar with it. I have also read some people did HBOT even with lung fibrosis. I really want to do it if it is safe to save my finger from amputation.
So your doctor was never concerned by your lung scarring or checked your lung before you did HBOT? Do you take some immunosuppressive drugs for your lung scarring?
Really appreciate your help.
That’s wonderful that you are fully insured! Such a big advantage. I’m glad you’ve found resources nearby. I do not recall that my lung scarring posed any issue. I’m not on any immunosuppressive drugs for that condition. You’re in a chamber with 100 percent oxygen. which is an advantage even with damaged lungs. That’s a question to ask the specialists. They may also have other recommendations for treatments.
I do hope you’re able to save your fingers! I was recovering from major hand surgery and partial amputation of five fingers, and it made a huge difference. Best of luck!!