As many of you know, I (Steve) have been suffering for many weeks now from a severe back problem. I’ve had to stay in bed a lot, and Johanna came up with an ingenious contraption enabling me to work flat on my back with monitor and keyboard poised over me. In this way I was able to continue working on the Chumburung Bible, despite being unable to sit for more than a few minutes.
But last week the situation was completely changed by, of all things, a piano stool! Fed up with seven weeks more or less confined to our bedroom, I went downstairs one day, pulled out the piano stool, and started to play.
Twenty minutes later I realised I had been sitting all that time without any discomfort. In fact, when I stood u
p my back felt more at ease than it had for a long time!
I saw the chiropractor the next day and told him what had happened. He explained why I had found the piano stool so helpful: there’s no back to lounge against; it’s relatively high, ensuring the knees are lower than the hips (which apparently helps); and it’s narrow, reducing pressure on the underside of the thighs (also good).
So last Saturday Johanna’s wonderful monitor-trolley was taken apart and stored in the garage—where we hope it’ll stay unused for a good long time! And I’m once again able to work in my home office (though with frequent breaks). All thanks to God’s grace and a piano stool!
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I always knew playing the piano had to be good for you! That’s great news!
Thanks. All those hours of practice that I hated as a child have finally borne fruit!
That’s great news, am very pleased for you. I’m sure you are going to get lots of good advice, so I’ll avoid doing the same, but trust you carry on towards recovery.
In the meantime, thanks for letting me know about the blog. I’ll add it to my feed reader.
Thanks, Phil — I’ll keep sitting!
Stumbled across your site looking for mentions of the Ahanta NT. Like Phil I’ve added you to my feed reader. Impressed by your dedication and glad the ropes held on that monitor. Will pray you don’t need the marvelous contraption again.
Thanks, Pete. Sorry my coverage of the Ahanta NT was only that one photo! More to be added later under ‘Past Work’. But if there’s anything I can let you know in the meantime, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
No doubt the piano stool will be especially helpful when you are typesetting tone markers, Steve!
It’s good to hear from someone so in tune with the latest developments in back treatment!
Really glad God used that for helping your work move forward.
Greetings from the States, Steve.
Thanks, Paul — good to hear from you!
Hi Steve and Johanna, I’m so glad your back is improving, and always knew there was another use for piano stools!
Congrats on the website, it’s great.
Bestest
Keay
Thanks, Keay, glad you like it. Yes, the old piano stool is getting more use now than any time since Stephen left home!
Hope all’s well with you folks. Love to Angela.