CMT Artist in the News - Bangor, Maine

[Guest guest]

http://www.bangornews.com/editorialnews/article.cfm/ID/408099

(However, CMT is NOT a 'form' of Muscular Dystrophy)

Bangor Daily News -

JACKIE FARWELL, OF THE NEWS STAFF

September 19, 2003 Penciling a new path Artist, teacher with

neuromuscular disease honored for her efforts

These days, Snyder finds she has more time to devote to her

artwork. The progressive symptoms of her disease may keep her from a

job, but also have freed her to focus on her drawing at home. " I find

increasingly I have more time because I'm increasingly more disabled, "

the 51-year-old artist reflected in her Bangor studio. " I don't know if

that's good or bad. "

A wife and mother of three, Snyder's efforts to reshape her life and

professional career recently were affirmed. Over Labor Day weekend, she

received the Muscular Dystrophy Association's 2003 Personal Achievement

Award for Maine. The award recognizes the personal and professional

achievements of people in each state with various neuromuscular

diseases.

Snyder was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in 2001. A form of

muscular dystrophy, the peripheral nerve disorder causes progressive

weakness in the hands and lower legs. She has since resigned from

teaching at the Penobscot Christian School and Bangor Adult Education,

but has managed to continue serving as an adjunct professor at Grace

Evangelical Seminary in Bangor. She has also earned an associate degree

in fine arts from University College of Bangor and is now pursuing a

bachelor's degree.

" The achievements of Snyder demonstrate the vital community

contributions being made by people with neuromuscular diseases across

the country. We're gratified to honor her as Maine's MDA Personal

Achievement Award recipient for 2003, " Ross, MDA president and

chief executive officer, said in a press release.

As her disease has progressed, Snyder has had to wears braces on her

legs and make other physical and psychological adjustments. She uses a

wheelchair when traveling away from home.

" Without muscular control of the hands, doing fine work is hard, " she

acknowledged. " Those 25 years of pen and ink were hard to give up. "

Snyder now works primarily in pencil, a medium that is easily erased and

presents fewer frustrations. Her drawing table has been adapted to

accommodate her wheelchair. She uses larger pens and drawing tools.

" This disease also comes with a lot of pain, and that is difficult, " she

said. " My endurance has really suffered. "

Besides her own artwork, Snyder manages to give private art lessons to

12 students in her studio.

" I really enjoy transferring my enjoyment and enthusiasm for fine art to

another student, " she said. " Kids need to understand that what they put

on paper says something. "

Snyder describes her artwork as " imaginative. " Her subjects are often

mystical or religious in nature. A pencil sketch titled " The Elf " was

recently accepted by the MDA Art Collection in Tucson, Ariz.

" I've always liked creating something you couldn't see if I didn't draw

it, " she said.

Snyder said teaching art as a form of visual communication continues to

inspire her.

" Art is good therapy, " she said. " It has become something I have to

fight for. "