Young cellist battling arthritis

January 3, 2008

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(Video of story @ the site)

Thursday, January 03, 2008 | 12:38 PM

By Meyer

Approximately 48 millions adults in the United States are living with

arthritis. One of them is a young cellist whose whole life has been devoted

to performing.

Caroline Gomez was a principle cellist of several symphony orchestras. Last

year her arthritis was so painful she had to put her dreams on hold.

Gomez's music training started when she was 5 years old.

" I played the violin first, and then I switched over to the cello, " said

Gomez.

Ten years ago, Caroline came to the United States from Colombia to study

music.

" I went to Roosevelt University for my undergrad and to De for my

masters for post graduate degree there, and while I was here I got

rheumatoid arthritis, " said Gomez.

This happened in 2001 as she was preparing for a difficult audition.

" I worked really hard at it, and my shoulder started hurting, and I thought

it was because I was practicing too much, maybe I had over done it, and

after the audition it started hurting so badly I had to go to the emergency

room because I couldn't even sleep, " she said.

Caroline's arthritis affects her wrists, elbows, shoulder, knees and neck.

All of these joints are essential for playing the cello.

" There are great medicines that have helped me a lot that help keep things

calm in sense, but also I've had to make little changes in my techniques

when I play the cello. My wrist for example is not straight anymore " , " said

Caroline.

She recently had surgeries in each arm.

One of the highlights of Caroline's career was playing for Yo Yo Ma.

" He's just one of the most humble, loving people I've ever met. He's a great

musician, too, " she said.

If she can no longer play the cello, Caroline says she will always doing

something with music.

" I also love singing, I've always, though maybe if this doesn't work for

me, " she said.

Caroline has private cello students but really hopes to be back on stage

with her cello.

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