I was diagnosed with progressive systemic scleroderma at the age of 36. It began with Raynaud's Phenomenon a few years earlier. At the time I was a concert harpist and realized that my career was in jeopardy.
I was diagnosed with progressive systemic scleroderma at the age of 36. It began with
Raynaud's Phenomenon a few years earlier. At the time I was a concert harpist and realized
that my career was in jeopardy.
Today I am nearly 63 years old and I switched careers from the harp to university
teaching. I have undergone photopheresis, penicillamine, anti-inflammatory medicines and
every kind of treatment available, both traditional and alternative. For a few years I was
in great pain, walked with great difficulty, used two canes, and was told that I would
soon be confined to a wheelchair.
Since that time, I have survived 3 renal crises and I lead a fairly normal life. My
secret? Forget about it! Get on with your life and act as though you do not know about
this disease. I travel all over the world, am a fulltime professor of music and medicine
at a university and I have survived colon cancer.
Most of my treatments with traditional medical doctors were a waste of time. I have been
told by many of these physicians that I had little time to live and have so far proven
them wrong (as in 27 years of proving them wrong). Biofeedback has done more for me than
anything else. I have since gone on to earn my biofeedback certification (at the age of
62) and have a limited practice along with my university teaching. Enjoy life! Laugh a
lot! Love someone a lot! See funny movies! Avoid depressing people! In other words, live
life to the fullest.
You can reach me at:
Copyright 1996 by Rosalie Rebollo Pratt. All rights reserved.
Back