Diann Shaddox Story

Founder Diann Shaddox Story

Living with Essential Tremor

My name is Diann Shaddox and I’m the Founder of the Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor.
Diann's Bio
Diann Shaddox was born in Nashville, Arkansas and is an author, speaker, and Founder of the Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor.
Diann was diagnosed with Essential Tremor in 1982. She has since become an advocate for awareness and research toward finding a cure for ET. Diann is a Native American and a member of the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma.

Diann' Story
One question I get all the time is “Why did you start the Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor?”

My story began when I was in my early twenties, when I was diagnosed with Essential Tremor (ET). Now, my hands, head, legs, and voice tremor, I also lose my balance.

I was in my early twenties when life changed for me. My hands began to shake when I’d do tedious work. No one, not even my doctor could figure out what was happening and believed I was nervous and needed to calm down.

One day changed my world. I was standing at the post office window in Louisville, Kentucky. You see I wasn’t able to fill out a simple form containing my name and address. I could hear the whispers and comments from people standing in the line behind me. The confused look of the post office clerk told the entire story.

I had been taught not to show my feelings in public, but tears flowed down my face as I raced out of the building clutching my package in my arms. That one day made me angry and I had to find my answer.

After talking to 3 doctors telling me that I was just nervous, I went out on my own to figure out what was happening to me. I found a Neurologist and made an appointment. I finally made the discovery that I had Essential Tremor.

I was relieved to know what I had, but didn’t really understand what Essential Tremor was. I thought I was the only person in the world with this disorder.

Even after I was diagnosed, I did all I could to hide my shaky hands from family and friends. During this time, I thought I was some kind of freak. I learned to hold my drink with both hands and hide my hands as much as possible. I used more energy hiding my tremoring hands more than just living my life.

Hiding my tremors seemed to be working for many years, but as time moved on so did my tremors and I couldn’t hide my tremors anymore. People began to question and stare at me wondering why I was nervous or thinking maybe I was on drugs or just plain weird.

Being out in public was difficult, the stares were tough, and once more the simple feat of filling out forms was devastating. Even being in a doctor’s office was difficult. The nurses question why I was so nervous and even chastised me when they tried to take my blood pressure and my arm would shake.

Simple, daily tasks, cooking, applying makeup, even putting on jewelry, that we all take for granted became huge obstacles for me.

Through my writing I found out I wasn’t alone. There were millions of people around the world, (42 million) suffering from Essential Tremor. At book signings, I began to hear stories of other people living with ET, stories that were so similar to mine. I no longer felt alone or the need to hide my shaky hands and became empowered to inform people about Essential Tremor. Most people believe only older people have ET and that it is just a social problem which isn't true. I also learned that recent research indicates that 5 out of 100 children under the age of 20 have ET.

I knew something had to be done. We have to tell the world about ET, so people who live with ET aren’t sitting home alone wondering why this is happening to them. So, I decide to start the Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor.

I have become an activist to bring awareness to Essential Tremor. I am now the Founder of the Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor a national Non-Profit public organization 501 c(3). Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor, (DSF) mission is to educate and increase awareness about people afflicted with Essential Tremors. DSF works with people worldwide to show that ET is an international progressive disorder. We are unwavering to assist families with our Family Assistance Program, and DSF Medical Research Program, DSF National Educational Initiative, & Anti-Bullying & Suicide Awareness Program, to find cause and cure for ET. DSF will make a difference in millions of people’s lives and directly change the future for everyone who will inherit or develop Essential Tremor.

Even though the stares will forever be, I won’t give up. Now, I’m even more determined that the word will spread about Essential Tremor and find a cure. I am going to Make it Happen. www.diannshaddoxfoundation.org

Essential tremor (ET) Essential Tremor, ET is a progressive neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs, or body. Over 42 million people worldwide (including children) have ET, the largest movement disorder in the world. ET can begin at any age, from birth to 100. ET doesn't discriminate with age, race, sex, or national origin.

A Faded Cottage
MY STORY by Diann

On December 18, 2010, I sat in my office and wrote “A Faded Cottage” a Christmas love story about an artist who develops Essential Tremor. My life has change dramatically because of this one small book.

“A Faded Cottage” is a journal of only two weeks. The story of Quaid Witherspoon’s life. I’ve sat back pondered what my life would be like if I’d not published “A Faded Cottage” and continued with my plan of publishing my other books.

I have to believe my journey was for a reason. Life can be a mystery and I wouldn't have taken on the challenge to start a new foundation, Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor if I’d stayed the path that I’d planned.

I became adamant to make a change when I talked to people around the country and no one had heard of Essential Tremor, even though I had been diagnosed with Essential Tremor for over thirty years and over 42 million people in the world have ET. I kept asking myself; how could that be? Something needed to be done. I soon learned that one cold December night changed my life. For the better only time will tell that answer.

It was the night of December 18, 2010, my birthday, a very calm and uneventful night. I couldn't sleep, which isn't unusual for me, so I made my way downstairs to my cubby office. I decided that I’d work on one of my novels.

I sat in front of the computer and began to type, but it seemed my fingers and hands had another idea as they shook uncontrollably hovering over the keyboard. If you've tried to text as you are riding in a car or train when it’s bumpy, then you might understand how difficult it is to type when you have trouble with tremoring fingers hitting the correct keys. I’d learn to deal with my tremors for many years, but this night it became overpowering.

I leaned back in my chair. I sat there and stared at the computer screen. My anger grew watching my hands quiver over the keyboard, and for once in my life I felt sorry for myself. The question of why me, a question without an answer, played repeatedly in my mind.

I took in a deep breath and closed my eyes. I let my tremoring hands type and the words, “Happy birthday dumb-ass” were written across the screen. I laughed and let the words flow and Quaid Witherspoon, a famous artist, was born.

A man who had everything or so he thought, but now his hands had abandoned him and his life of painting had ceased, becoming a bitter man. I didn't plan the story of Quaid that night, but his character emerged from my mind and the story grew, while I told Quaid’s story. The story of Quaid Witherspoon, the novel 'A Faded Cottage', became an incredible love story, one about strength of mind to fight fate and never accept what life throws at you. ‘A Faded Cottage’ is journal of a famous artist not of his life, but of only two weeks, a love story about aging and two people being reunited after thirty years finding love can conquer all.

Through this process of bringing ‘A Faded Cottage’ to life, I have learned so much and talking, listening to everyone’s stories that are so similar to mine has increased my desire to make a difference.
Now, 'A Faded Cottage' has become a vehicle to explain about Essential Tremor and how so many live each day with tremoring hands, head, voice, and entire body.

Click to order Diann Shaddox's books

Diann's Bio

Diann Shaddox is a Native American Indian and a member of the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma. She’s an award winning author, book-lover, wife, mother, grandmother, and has Essential Tremor. She loves to cook, grow organic vegetables, travel, and drink great wines. Diann is Founder of Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor.

Diann was born on December 18th in a small southern town of Nashville, Arkansas, the youngest and only daughter of William and Mary Ann. But, fate had stepped in and William, a crop-duster, at the age of 25 died in a plane crash on November 20th, the month before she was born, therefore, Diann was never able to meet her father. Mary Ann, who grew up in Miami, Oklahoma, (a member of the Wyandotte Nation) moved back to Miami after William’s death, where Diann lived until her mother died, when she was only 3 years old.

Diann and her brother moved back to Nashville, Arkansas to live with her grandparents. At the age of 10, Diann’s Granddad died of a stroke, leaving her Mamow alone to see to her and her brother.

Diann learned from an early age about death, and how life should not be squandered. Her Mamow, who had lost her right hand in an accident at a factory in Nashville, Arkansas, taught her you never give up and never let anything stand in her way. She taught herself to write, cook, and even how to sew and make quilts with only using her left hand, without any prosthetics. Being handicapped was a word she never used.

Growing up with Mamow in a small town was wonderful, learning to fish, growing a garden and the most important thing, patience of a grandmother. Stories from the past evolved of family bringing many stories to life. Sitting out late at night on cool summer evenings, swinging on an old swing staring up at the stars helped Diann’s vivid imagination grow.

As for most people, life moved on quickly for her, graduating from Nashville High School, a real Scrapper, college, marrying her sweetheart Randy, having children, letting her dreams of so many characters stay in her head.

After she married Diann moved to Louisville, KY where she lived for a few years and then to Princeton, NJ; Burke, Virginia; back to Louisville, KY; Bonita Springs, FL; Leander, TX and then to Aiken, SC.

Now, Diann hopes the word will spread about ET and even though the stares will forever be, she won’t give up. May the power of many voices bring peace to all.

Bringing new books to life, she hopes will continue for years to come. Diann knows her own book of life has new pages being added each day and it’s up to each of us of what our Lifebooks will contain.

She has an enthusiasm for travel and living life to its fullest. You have only one life and shouldn’t waste it.
The zest for meeting and getting to know people is a very important component in her life. She is a believer of herbs, natural and organic foods, and a big supporter of Bio-identical Hormones and keeping our planet green.

Diann has lived in eight great states, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, New Jersey, Virginia, Texas, and Florida. South Carolina is now her home with her husband, Randy, her greatest supporter.

Escaping to worlds unknown in a book is exhilarating and she hopes her ideas and dreams are inexhaustible with many years of writing. Diann XO
www.diannshaddoxfoundation.org

CONTACT DIANN SHADDOX

Diann Shaddox was born December 18th in Nashville, Arkansas and is an author, speaker, and Founder of the Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor.
Diann Shaddox is best known for her released books, A Faded Cottage, (2013) a SC love story about an artist with Essential Tremors; Whispering Fog, (2014) a time travel romance; Miranda,(2015) a historical fiction, a journal of a young girl living in the late 1800’s; Spirits of Sacred Mountain, (2016) about a young Native American Indian boy’s life spinning out of control and a magical mountain with deep hidden secrets; and The Gatekeeper of Crystal Pond, (2017) mystery/sci-fi Not What Lies Above, but Below.
Shaddox was diagnosed with Essential tremor in 1982. She has since become an advocate for awareness and research toward finding a cure for ET and she created the Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor, April, 2014.
Diann Shaddox is a Native American Indian and a member of the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma.

INSIGHTEC Diann Shaddox’s StoryBy: Debra Emanuel

Many people ask about DSF logo. It is an Eagle's wing.
Diann Shaddox is a proud member of the Wyandotte Nation.
The Eagle has stood for the people, he protects, serves and watches over his brothers and sisters.

A tribute to my son Rick who died of a cancerous stage-four brain tumor May 20, 2014.

I want to say an immense thank you to all my family and friends. The outpouring of support, prayers and love my family has received during this difficult time has been a blessing. My son’s life was ended way to quick and the question of why will never be answered. I learned when I was very young that trying to find the answer of why a tragedy happens is a waste of precious time. I taught my son to live his life to the fullest and he lived more in his short life than many people live in a lifetime. I believe we all have a purpose in life.

My son touched so many people lives giving them smiles from his laughter, a strong shoulder to lean on, and he left them with joy and a drive to continue and never give up no matter what life throws at you. My son won’t ever be gone since his memory will live in my heart forever. Being a writer I will keep his stories alive to tell his children and anyone who will listen. Stories that will make you laugh, cry, and bring out the love deep inside of you.

There is a simple message I want to leave with everyone, smile more often, let the little things in life that bother you disappear, live each day of your life to the fullest, and tell your loved ones how much you love them. I don’t have the magic button to take the sorrow and pain away, but my life will continue on, whether it is for one more day, month, or many, many years, and I will always remember my sweet baby boy.