Unfortunately, distal neuropathy is continuing to take it's toll on my nearly 81 year old body. This is not diabetic neuropathy. It began about 8 years ago in my feet, then began advancing up my legs to my thighs. Now, it is in my hands and forearms. I can no longer feel my fingers, which is a real problem for an entertainer that maintained almost constant eye contact with his audiences. I knew where the keys were because I could feel them, which is no longer the case. Now I must look at the keys in order to be sure of the finger positioning.

Yep, age is a number, but getting old ain't for wimps and sissies. (I can tell you that with utmost authority.) Not only has this disease impeded my ability to play, but it also has an impact on my ability to type. I can no longer feel the tiny home key dots of the PC keyboard, you know, the ones on the "F" and "J" keys. I am a touch typist and never look at the keys to type, just the screen. Been typing since age 17 when I was a kid in the US Navy and a radioman copying Morse code groups.

The darkest day in my life was when I came to the realization that I could no longer function as a musical entertainer in front of an audience. My lungs gave out, my back was shot to Hell, the neuropathy made walking damned near impossible, and now my hands are damned near useless.

Good luck, from an old codger,

Gary