| Autism! Pdd nos! Aspergers syndrome! ADHD! High | | | | even go to concerts. You explain to your son that his |
| functioning! Low functioning! Delayed! Hearing these | | | | fingers are long because he is talented at playing the |
| words about your child can be crushing. They can | | | | piano. Your son plays the piano beautifully. He is proud |
| devastate you to your very core. The good news is | | | | of his fingers and his talent. You are proud of your son. |
| THEY DON'T HAVE TO! Let me tell you why. | | | | You run into the physician a few years later. You tell |
| It doesn't matter. That's right. It simply doesn't matter. If | | | | him proudly about your child's piano skills. He smiles |
| you want to really help your child then read on. I'm | | | | broadly and says "I made it all up. There is no condition |
| serious. Don't be like the thousands who wish they had | | | | called spindle fingers". "What?" you shriek "that's |
| "lived" this concept sooner. | | | | impossible. My child is an excellent player." |
| Pretend for a moment you have a newborn. He is | | | | "Of course he is" says the physician "It's called belief. |
| simply perfect. By the time he is two years old, his | | | | You believed in your child's fingers. You believed in his |
| fingers are so long, they look strange. You go to a | | | | talent. You encouraged him. It didn't matter how many |
| renowned physician and ask "What's wrong with my | | | | mistakes he made. You hardly heard them because |
| child? Why are his fingers so long?" The physician | | | | you knew he was on the path to greatness. Your son |
| smiles and says "Your child has a condition called | | | | felt your belief. He saw it in your eyes. He felt it course |
| spindle fingers. He has a natural gift for playing musical | | | | through his being. It inspired him. Every time he looked |
| instruments. Many dream of having this talent." | | | | at his long fingers he thought about his talent. He felt |
| You're absolutely thrilled and can't wait to share the | | | | proud of himself. He knew he could do it. Your |
| news. You rush home but on the way you stop to buy | | | | unwavering faith inspired him to be the best he can |
| a toy xylophone, piano, drum set and flute. You set | | | | be." |
| them out on the floor when you get home and you | | | | My advice to you is this. Forget about the boxes and |
| watch proudly as your toddler strums each one of | | | | the labels. Ignore the judgments. Your child is |
| them. You don't care that everyone else thinks it just | | | | fascinating. Your child is a unique and wonderful being |
| sounds like noise. You have a budding musician on | | | | who is incredibly special. Give him the tools. Encourage |
| your hands and he's practicing! | | | | him on his journey. Never lose faith in him. Stand by his |
| As the months go by you encourage your child to play | | | | side. Teach him as much as you can. Watch in delight |
| instruments. He gets a little older and expresses his | | | | as he soars far beyond everyone's expectations. |
| preference for the piano. You take him to piano | | | | Everyone's except yours and all those who joined |
| lessons, listen to famous piano players and perhaps | | | | your belief along the way! |