the heart and soul of all with CMT

[Guest guest]

Jeff--

I am amazed that your life is so much like mine. Yes, I think my mother, who was

a CMTer, suffered when she realixed that I had CMT in a progrssive mode when I

was 5/6 yrs old.My arches & hammer toes would not let me wear leather shoes.

" Tennis " shoes are what I wore, much to my chagrin-- they were looked upon as

the pitts.I later had surgery and it helped, at least I could get shoes on.

I was made fun of by many in school who were not friendly.I am normally a

peaceful sort, but I did put one aggravator onto the floor on his back-- I do

not reccomend this! But he didn't tease me anymore.

yes, CMT does put its stamp on all the things I do and am.

Over the yrs., I've beccome accustomed to stares, crude remarks and jibes from

clods & street urchins. CMT has even affected my hearing, sense of smell & sense

of taste. The other day, even my wife of 50 yrs rolled her eyes in irritation

when I couldn't hear & understand our conversation. It killed my soul even she

though assured me that she meant nothing by doing so. I cried.

I feel that, in spite of everthing, I have had a successful & productive life,

after teaching & being an educator for forty two years & soon, I'll have 80

candles on my cake.

Thanks for listening to my heart,

in the Land of the Illini