Men & CMT

[Guest guest]

We all know it affects each person differently. I was diagnosed about age 13.  I

was always clumsy and slow - this was always attributed to me being " lazy " -

even after diagnoses - by some people.

Anyway, my reaction has always been to do as much as a can.  It took me a long

while to realize the reason I was such an erratic golfer was because my balance

is so bad - I never hit the ball the same way twice.  (I haven't golfed since,

but that mostly has to do with being busy with my kids.)

As with most things, dealing with my CMT is cyclical - some days are better than

others.  Some days I feel helpless, some days I feel the rest of the world just

needs to get out of my way. 

Mostly, I just change the definition of " normal " to fit what is normal for ME. 

I am bout to turn 40, but I think my body is about to turn 60.

An example - last night I played softball - I play in a recreation co-rec church

league - not super competitive.  Player range in age from 18-62.  I WANT to play

like the 20 year old shortstop we have.  In fact, my brain is telling me all the

right things to do - the fact is, my body just does not respond.  I don't judge

the way I play against him - I judge it by the way I play against myself.  I

pitch...and that is it.  There really isn't another suitable position for me

(well, catcher, but the girls usually catch on our team).  There is a

" designated runner rule " - I am the only person in the league that uses it. 

Another player on my team stands next to the ump and runs when I hit it. 

I am doing OK as a pitcher.  The first baseman (base-woman, actually)

understands I am not going to cover first if she has to field the ball - I just

can't get over there.  I don't have much of a pitching " motion " - another

adjustment I made - less movement the less I am thrown 'off-balance'.  Still, no

two pitches are alike.  Many fall within the strike zone or an inch or two one

way or the other. 

BTW, I stuck out 8 batters last night and went 1-3 at the plate.  These good

days help me make it through the bad ones.