Step 1 – Establish Your Goals
Goal setting is just as important in learning how to improve memory and concentration as it is in other areas of life. In other words, you need to know where you are going before you set out on your journey. Think about what your memory improvement goals are, and most importantly, write them down. This helps to lock them into place. Make them specific and measurable. For example “I want to be able to remember my 2-page presentation by next Saturday”, or “I want to memorise birthdays of people in closest to me by next Monday.”

Step 2 – Break Each Goal Down Into a Simple Plan
Once you have set a goal to improve memory and concentration, break it up into some tasks. Spread them over the time you have available. Using the previous example of the relatives birthdays, if you have 20 to remember and four days to do it in, set yourself the task of learning 5 per day. This is achievable and realistic, especially when starting out. With more practice you can increase the amount you learn in each day. The process of learning how to improve memory and concentration will become more relaxed and more comfortable.

Step 3 – Use Association and Emotion
In the example given above, try and associate each birthday with sharp images and use a range of techniques to help you remember each day’s facts. For example, repeat them out loud, write them down, and draw pictures. Anything that allows you to anchor your new memories.

Picture the person whose birthday you are trying to remember, perhaps on some happy occasion, and then visualise their birth date floating above them in large, brightly coloured numbers. Focus on the image. This will enhance your powers of concentration. Use something shocking if you like. These photos are for you alone. Bizarre and unusual images are highly useful tools in learning how to improve memory and concentration.

Step 4 – Rehearse What You Have Learnt
Rehearse what you have learned several times during the day, and again at the end of the day. As the days go by, rehearse your accumulated memories to strengthen your powers of recall. This is a handy article about Success Principles based on our survey with very interesting results.

Step 5 – Good Food Will Improve Your Memory
It is widely recognised that the modern diet often contains insufficient vitamins, minerals and other components needed to sustain a healthy body and mind. Understandably, many people turn to memory supplements as a way to improve the memory and concentration.

But did you know that before you start using memory supplements, there is one thing that you must do to provide the best foundation for a healthy brain? What’s more, if you don’t do this ‘one thing,’ the chances are that you will be wasting the money you spend on memory supplements.

It is straightforward. You must eat a Basic Healthy Diet. A healthy diet is one that is low in saturated fats and sugar, and high in unprocessed foods. This including fruit and vegetables. One component of food which is thought to have a significant beneficial effect on memory is folate. Folate is present in strawberries, whole grains, and dark leafy greens, as well as many other foods.

Any memory supplements you use are best taken in conjunction with a primarily healthy diet. They will be the ‘icing on the cake,’ if you like. But if you eat a poor diet, don’t expect any supplement to be a miracle cure for your memory or any other health issue. Get the ‘foundation’ in place first and then consider what part memory supplements can play in your health program. Also, please do some research on studies before taking any supplements.

Step 6 – Use ‘Brain Entrainment’ to Improve Your Memory
Good Memory, the centre of attention, mind Power and Concentration. These are the most common and mutually supporting features of a highly efficient brain.

If you are looking for ways to improve your memory, it will pay enormous dividends if you use an approach that tackles all four of these elements at the same time.
A ground-breaking approach which achieves just that is the process of ‘brain entrainment.’

Brain entrainment uses audio tracks to guide your brainwaves into operating at the frequencies which enable you to tap into higher levels of energy, creativity and problem-solving. These are the frequencies that arise during meditation. The significant advantage of this relatively new technology is that it allows you to access these rates quickly and easily. You will experience the brain states that high achievers and geniuses have used to make their mark in the world. And in doing so, your ‘brain power’ and memory will naturally improve in many different ways.

How To Improve Your Memory Naturally
​Here are some easy ways to sharpen your memory, improve your concentration and think more clearly.

Brain Exercises to Improve Memory

Using mental exercises on a regular basis will strengthen your concentration and improve your memory while at the very same time making for some pretty cool fun.

Brain exercises that improve memory can be practised during the day while you’re working. Many have made the comparison of the brain to a muscle that can be exercised for increased mental strength when using the right kind of activities. If you are looking for concentration help then applying the mind is a must.

Some mind and memory exercises can be as simple as an intelligent conversation or reading something new. Reading an article in a newspaper and then summarising it to a friend of yours or a family member, can be an excellent exercise. It’s good to do these types of mental activities and as much as possible since it will give you excellent concentration help, plus it is straightforward to come up with games that improve memory.

But be careful not to just breeze over the words and miss half of the meaning. You’ll amaze yourself with what you’re able to remember. Look online for more brain exercises that improve memory. They are easy to find.

Eat Smart And Improve Your Memory

A sharp memory mainly depends on your health. To maintain top brain function, you must eat healthily. Ian Marber, clinical nutritionist and author of The Food Doctor, said: “Most people are familiar with feeling dizzy and being unable to concentrate if they haven’t eaten, but they don’t realise what an effect nutrition has on brain function. Look how many people follow low-fat diets for weight loss, ignoring the possible repercussions for the brain.”

Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs), found in oily fish such as herring, mackerel, and sardines, are involved in the production of prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that regulate brain and heart functioning. When you’re stressed, your body uses up more nutrients, which can affect the brain.

Most people are familiar with feeling dizzy and being unable to concentrate if they haven’t eaten, but they don’t realise what an effect nutrition has on brain function.

Ian Marber said: “The hormone adrenaline, produced in response to stress, uses extra glucose, which could lower blood levels, impeding mental performance. The brain is the single largest user of glucose, or energy taking around 70 percent of the total produced from food intake.”

Getting an adequate amount of vegetables is equally important. So go for plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit, and complex carbohydrates, like potatoes. This ensures a consistent supply of glucose and antioxidants to counteract the formation of harmful free radicals and to help protect your brain and body from premature ageing. Another vitamin-like substance, coenzyme Q10, is thought to increase memory and concentration by upping oxygen levels in the brain.

Practice Feng Shui

Feng shui is the ancient Chinese art of balancing energies to create harmony, increase efficiency and encourage prosperity. Whether you believe it or not, it does give you a sense of peace, and that alone is worth it. By changing your working environment, you can enhance your performance and improve your memory. Gina Lazenby, an author of The Healthy Home, advises the following: avoid clutter – it creates stagnation. A clear desk helps you find things more efficiently and focus on the task at hand. Place inspirational images within view, such as a picture of a beautiful landscape, to help stimulate creative thinking. Make sure your chair is supportive and comfortable, allowing energy to flow.

Avoid Fluorescent Lighting

Use a desk lamp and avoid fluorescent lighting, which can create glare, an energy-zapping source of distraction. The better the light, the stronger the creative energy around you. Use colours – yellow is said to stimulate the mind, turquoise helps clarity, while beige and light blue encourage tidiness. Don’t sit with your back to the door. Position your chair with your back to a wall, so you can see anyone walking through the door. Then you won’t be taken by surprise and will appear accessible and approachable.

Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is the time when our body is repairing itself. Make sure you are getting ample sleep since this offers your body the time to heal itself for the next day. Getting a ”power nap” in the day is a behaviour well really worth mastering. You’ll wake from the power nap refreshed and raring to go again.

Games for Improving Memory and Concentration

​When you play a memory game at every opportunity, you will find great success, and it will improve memory. You may take a look at nearly everything as being a possibility to practice these memory games. Look at word association or putting a visual reminder with words with items to remember. Many of the games nowadays possess games that are targeted at increasing your brain power. These are labelled Mind Training, so if you have a game console, they are a great way to improve your mind and memory power. There are also computer-based equivalents if you don’t have a gaming console. A couple of mini “brain exercises” a day should assist your memory improvement goal. Quizzes are great test your ingenuity. It can help assess the status of your memory and intelligence. Sudoku or a crossword puzzle is also a great way to stretch your mind!

Mind puzzles provide you with the tools to improve your skills in specific areas.
Problem-solving is the number one skill that many people do not use to its fullest potential. When you have honed your skills at a particular memory game, many mental problems you had in the past will be simple to work out with your new found mind and memory.

The bottom line is that the more you play, the better you become. When you attempt quizzes or mind puzzles, you are increasing your ability to think fast. When you complete a mind puzzle a day, you will notice you have gained a sense of security, and you will also see the difference in your problem-solving skills in a relatively short amount of time.

Supplements for Your Mind and Memory

Usual dietary supplements like Ginko Biloba have been shown to have beneficial results in the brain improvement and blood flow. It is easy to get them online from sites like Amazon or your native wellness super food store. With the natural mind workouts above, you’re stimulating each side of your mind. Regardless of whether you’re rich or poor, a university scholar or a dropout, as long as you are in management of both sides of your brain, the possibilities are endless.

As Albert Einstein often would say “genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration“. The road to attaining genius mind and memory power is genuinely available to any individual prepared to work to reach one’s goals. Once you use the remaining parts of your brain, you are using your logical, analytical thoughts to focus your actions. The other part is utilised in exploring creative suggestions, inspiration, hunches and the like. When you can use both naturally, logic and creativity, all you need to do are consider the action to take to get to your objective. That’s the 99% Einstein was talking about in attaining genius brain power. You can find numerous brain supplements on the market. But make sure to consult a physician before using any brain supplement.

Surround Yourself with Positive People

Surround yourself with like-minded people. Having people around with a mindset similar to yours will give you the support and help you need to grow the mind and memory to new heights.

Takeaway

So there you have it, nine natural approaches for improving memory. That also provide a healthy foundation for any other memory improvement methods you may want to use!

In this article, you’ve learned various steps and techniques to achieve any memory task you put your mind to. You now have a proven step by step system for powering up your memory and concentration and enhancing many areas of your life.


[Authors Bio: Sohail is a content marketer and a blogger. Currently, he is associated with Smiletutor.sg, a private tuition agency in Singapore. His hobbies include writing, reading books, travelling and gardening.]

Thank you Matthew Snider & Rebecca Temsen Self Development Secrets Blog

​

​ 
My Life With Essential Tremor (ET)
My experience with ET started with my Mother.  She shook terribly in her later life, barely able to get food into her mouth.  Her doctor told her that she suffered from a malady called, in those days,  Familial Tremor.  But to my knowledge she was never treated for it.  I remember Mom being very self conscious of her tremor and worked hard to hide it.  She did all she could to avoid social settings and/or eating out.

My tremor became noticeable when I was in my very early twenties as I finished college and entered the U.S. Navy.   My wife noticed, while we were first dating, that I shook slightly.  But only later did she tell me that she "just thought she made me nervous."  That became the story of my younger years, especially as a Navy Pilot.  And naturally, with the jolt of adrenalin that surges through your body when flying high performance aircraft, my tremor frequently was exacerbated.  I found it very helpful for me, and my 'audience,' to explain to them about my tremor, even though I didn't know many of the medical details at the time, just how it affected me.  By talking about it, attempting to explain that I wasn't as nervous as I might appear, frequently joking that I was not 'out partying all night,' I was better able to defuse the embarrassment for myself and my associates.

Now let's fast forward to my later years.  As my tremor worsened with age, I found it more intrusive to my daily living.  I finally saw a neurologist in my mid-forties and was 'offically' diagnosed with Essential Tremor and put on Inderal.  Inderal, and the many other medications my doctors prescribed for me over the years, either had unacceptable side effects and/or did little to control the tremor.  As I turned 60 my tremor was preventing me from doing many of the things I love the most in life, like eating soup, taking pictures, etc.  It was then that I started seriously researching what ET was all about.  

During my research, I soon received a postcard announcing a study at the UCSF Hospital in San Francisco.  This study involved FDA approval of a new device that could control ET using Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS).  After much more research on medications and their efficacy, or lack thereof, I called and  asked for an appointment at the UCSF Movement Disorders Clinic.  After a most thorough interview and examination, the doctors at UCSF determined that I was a candidate for the surgery.

In the two years since my DBS surgery, I have experienced complete control of my tremor and the total restoration of my quality of life.  I can eat soup again!!  And I can do so without slopping  it all over my shirt.  I can drink from a glass without spilling.  I can read my own writing.  I can shave without cutting myself!

Hopefully, with the recent passage of the Congressional legislation that names March as ET Awareness Month, funding for research for new medications and devices, such as mine, will alleviate the symptoms of ET for the millions of other sufferers.

By the way:  here is a sample of my handwriting with my DBS device turned on, followed by a sample of my handwriting with my device turned off.

Essential tremor: Aiken resident lives with, raises awareness of disease
Stephanie Turner  Email  stephaniedturnerAS
Oct 11 2015 3:47 pm

​Getting ET
“Essential tremor (ET) is the most common movement disorder. It is a progressive, often inherited disorder that usually begins in later adulthood,” according to John Hopkins. “Essential tremor is thought to be caused by electrical fluctuations in the brain that send abnormal signals out to the muscles.”

The gene that causes ET has not been identified, and how it’s inherited, if the person does inherit it, differs among patients, according the National Library of Medicine’s Genetics Home Reference.

In some causes, “they almost know it’s coming, because generation after generation have a pretty pronounced tremor,” said Dr. Michelle Lyon, Carolina Musculoskeletal Institute’s neurologist.


 Staff Photo by Stephanie Turner Dr. Michelle Lyon is the neurologist at Carolina Musculoskeletal Institute

Since Shaddox’s father passed away before she was born and her mother died when Shaddox was a toddler, she isn’t completely sure how she got her ET, though she suspects it’s from a great aunt whose hands would shake.

“In most affected families, essential tremor appears to be inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of an altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder, although no genes that cause essential tremor have been identified,” according to the National Library. “Essential tremor may also appear in people with no history of the disorder in their family.”

There is no genetic test to detect whether or not you will get ET, Lyon said.

“Your health care provider will ask you questions about your health history and family history. He or she will also look at your trembling symptoms. Your provider will probably need to rule out other conditions that could cause the shaking or trembling,” according to John Hopkins.

ET is often confused with Parkinson’s disease, which affects less people and is more detailed in its symptoms than ET, according to Lyon.

Parkinson’s, for example, “generally involves slow movements (bradykinesia), rigidity (stiffness) and problems with walking or balance,” whereas those symptoms are abnormal in people with ET, according to the International Essential Tremor Foundation.

Diann Shaddox's Story
Diann was born on December 18th in a small southern town of Nashville, Arkansas, the youngest and only daughter of William and Mary Ann Shaddox. But, fate stepped in and William, a crop-duster, at the age of 25, died in a plane crash on November 20th, a month before she was born, therefore, Diann was never able to meet her father. Mary Ann, who grew up in Miami, Oklahoma, moved back to Miami after William’s death, where Diann lived until her mother died when she was only 3 years old. Diann then moved to Nashville, Arkansas to live with her grandparents. At the age of 10, Diann’s Granddad Holt died of a stroke, leaving her grandmother alone to see to her.

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

Growing up 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.

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. 


Living with Essential Tremor 
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 doctors, could figure out what was happening and they, the doctors, believed I was nervous and I just needed to calm down. 
   
One day, when I was standing at the post office window in Louisville, Kentucky changed my world. You see a simple form containing my name and address I wasn't able to fill out. I could hear the whispers and comments from people standing in line behind me  The confused look of the post office worker's face told the entire story. 
I had been taught not to show my feelings in public, but tears flowed down my face as I raced, clutching my package in my arms, out of the building. That one day I had to find my answer and I went out on my own to figure out what was happening to me. Without my GP or insurance permission, I found a Neurologist and made an appointment. That day in the doctor’s office, I finally made the discovery that I had Essential Tremors. 

I was relieved to know what I had, but didn't really understand what Essential Tremor was. I thought I was the only person with this problem and didn't bring it up with my friends and family, unless someone asked.

Not letting anything deter me, I continued life with the determination that I’d learned from my grandmother. I was unrelenting to do tedious work like counted cross-stitch on linen, and playing the piano even with trembling hands. It was as if my mind would relax letting my hands work without thinking. I learned to hide my hands out in public, to grip my drinking glass with both hands, and how to use my body for cover as much as possible.

Things seemed to be working for many years, but on my birthday, December 18th, 2010 my hands were shaking uncontrollably, 2010 had been a year when many people began to question and stared at me wondering why I was nervous or thinking maybe that I was just 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, as they, nurses, questioned why I was so nervous and shaking so much, giving me stares.

That night of December 18th, I sat in my office and anger grew watching my hands quiver as they hovered over the keyboard, and for once in my life I felt sorry for myself. The question of why, a question without an answer played in my mind. Being a writer the words began to flow and Quaid Witherspoon, a famous artist, was born. A man who had everything or so he thought, but now his hands had deserted him and his life of painting had ceased, becoming a bitter man. 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. 

I found out that I wasn't alone and millions of people worldwide had Essential Tremor. I began to do book signing and would ask if anyone knew what Essential Tremor was. Again, I was shocked that no one knew what ET was even though it is the largest and most common movement disorder, 10 times larger than Parkinson’s. It seemed that 99% of the time the answer was no. Many police departments even answered the same. 


Through this process of bringing A Faded Cottage to life, I have learned so very much. Finding the ET Facebook groups, talking and listening to everyone’s stories at book signings, stories that are so similar to mine, has brought calmness to my life. We have to tell others about ET, so people who live with ET aren't sitting alone wondering why this is happening to them. 

Even though the stares will forever be, I won’t give up. Now, I’m even more determined the word will spread about Essential Tremor and I’m going to help make it happen. For each book sold of “A Faded Cottage,” 100% of the sales will go to Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor to make a difference.     

What is Essential Tremor? 
Essential Tremor is the largest and most common movement disorder in the world and is 10 times larger than Parkinson’s. Essential Tremor (ET) is a progressive neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs, or trunk. Over 10 million Americans, including children, have Essential Tremor. That’s about 5% of all people in the United States. For comparison sake 7.8% of the population have some type of diabetes. Most people though haven’t heard about Essential Tremor and the Diann Shaddox Foundation for ET is adamant to bring attention to the world. 

 First and foremost, ET can begin at any age, from ages 1 to 100. ET doesn't discriminate with age, race, sex, or national origin. The Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor can make a difference in millions of people’s lives and directly change the future for everyone who will inherit or develop ET but we need your help. We want to show that Essential Tremor isn’t just for the elderly, but children of all ages have ET. Many people with ET have lost their jobs and college students are having their dreams of special careers disappear before they have a chance to begin. We have to bring people out of hiding and educate teachers in school so children and teens aren’t bullied about their tremors. The stories are endless from people with Essential Tremor struggling with depression. We will make a difference and bring awareness to businesses, schools, and first responders.

Diann
Diann Shaddox is Founder of Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor, author, mother, grandmother. Diann has been an activist for ET and been working to bring awareness to the world through ‘A Faded Cottage’ a SC love story about an artist who develops ET.Diann is adamant to bring a change in movement disorders because she has ET. 100% of the sales of  Diann's book, A Faded Cottage  go to Diann Shaddox Foundation to help find a cure for Essential Tremor. 

Diann is also the author of "Whispering Fog" a time travel & Miranda, a love story.

Diann learned from an early age things may look impossible, maybe risky or pointless, but you have to give it a try or you'll never know if you don't give yourself a chance.

A FADED COTTAGE

When a love letter written by a teenage boy becomes lost after a summer filled with passion, it brings about an incredible love story of two people being reunited, after thirty years.

When Essential Tremors take over a famous artist’s body, a simple feat of holding a paintbrush turns Quaid Witherspoon’s life upside down, becoming a bitter man. This is his journal of how he battles fate, not of his entire life, but of two weeks. Quaid had everything money could buy, except the two things he loved the most, his love of painting great masterpieces, and the only woman he had ever loved. The calming waters off the coast of South Carolina calls Quaid back to Hathaway Cove, to a small, faded cottage, one with a leaning front porch, worn paint so similar to him, flawed. The same beach where he began painting as a young boy, the place he met his one true love, and the place he let her go.

Sandy, Quaid’s love from his past, learns he is wondering about her, just as she is wondering about him. Their love is alive, meeting for the first time in thirty years, letting the years fade away, but fate has another twist. Sandy keeps a secret, letting them have their two weeks.

What if you were able to relive your life and rediscover you teenage love… Would you?

To learn more about Diann go to: www.diannshaddox.com

What is it like to live with Essential Tremor?


Can you imagine waking in the morning and not be able to hold a cup of coffee in your hands without spilling it, or not able to make your breakfast without making a mess. Then, trying to dress, buttoning your shirt, shaving, and putting on makeup or jewelry is almost impossible for millions.


When you’re out in public having people stare as your hands tremor, head shakes yes or no, and scared to death you might have to sign or fill out a form. Eating is another huge problem, slinging food from forks and spoons trying to make it to your mouth as your hands tremor, and spilling your drink unless it’s in a sippy cup with a lid. Many people with movement disorders voice tremors and communication is difficult. People have lost their job when their boss finds out about their tremors.

Now, how would you like to be a 5 year old in kindergarten and can’t color the page, write your ABC’s like the other kids. How would it feel to be a teenager trying to eat, write, or grasp things in their tremoring hands while others stare, giggle, bully, and tease.

Essential Tremor is the largest movement disorder in the world and is 10 times larger than Parkinson’s. What is Essential Tremor? (ET) is a progressive neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs, or trunk. Over 10 million Americans, including children, have Essential Tremor. That’s about 5% of all people in the United States. For comparison sake 7.8% of the population have some type of diabetes. Most people though haven’t heard about Essential Tremor and the Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor is adamant to bring attention to the world.

First and foremost, Essential Tremor can begin at any age from ages 1 to 100. ET doesn’t discriminate with age, race, sex, or national origin. 

The Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor is a Non-Profit public organization 501 c(3) giving hope to millions, including children, living with Essential Tremor. Our mission is to increase awareness about people afflicted with Essential Tremor and to find a cure.  

Please join the fight and the Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor and make a difference. Donate www.diannshaddoxfoundation.org.

 

Diann Shaddox is Founder of Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor. She is an author of ‘A Faded Cottage’ a South Carolina love story about an artist who develops Essential Tremor and she has ET. 

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 doctors, could figure out what was happening to me and they, the doctors, believed I was nervous and just needed to calm down. 
   
One day when I was standing at the post office window in Louisville, Kentucky changed my world. You see, a simple form containing my name and address I wasn't able to fill out. I could hear the whispers and comments from people standing in line behind me  The confused look of the post office worker's face told the entire story. I had been taught not to show my feelings in public, but tears flowed down my face as I raced, clutching my package in my arms, out of the building. That one day, I had to find my answers and I went out on my own to figure out what was happening to me. Without my GP or insurance permission I found a Neurologist and made an appointment. That day in the doctor’s office I finally made the discovery that I had Essential Tremors. 

I was relieved to know what I had, but didn't really understand what Essential Tremor was. I thought I was the only person with this problem and didn't bring it up with my friends and family unless someone asked.

Not letting anything deter me, I continued life with the determination that I’d learned from my grandmother. I was unrelenting to do tedious work like counted cross-stitch on linen and playing the piano, even with trembling hands. It was as if my mind would relax letting my hands work without thinking. I learned to hide my hands out in public, to grip my drinking glass with both hands, and how to use my body for cover as much as possible.

Things seemed to be working for many years, but on my birthday, December 18th, 2010 my hands were shaking uncontrollably. 2010 had been a year when many people began to question and stared at me wondering why I was nervous or maybe thinking  that I was 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 as nurses questioned why I was so nervous and shaking so much, giving me stares.

That night of December 18th I sat in my office, anger grew watching my hands quiver as they hovered over the keyboard, and for once in my life I felt sorry for myself. The question of why, a question without an answer, played in my mind. Being a writer the words began to flow and Quaid Witherspoon, a famous artist, was born. A man who had everything or so he thought, but now his hands had deserted him and his life of painting had ceased, becoming a bitter man. 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. 

I found out that I wasn’t alone and millions of people worldwide had Essential Tremor. I began to do book signing and would ask if anyone knew what Essential Tremor was. Again I was shocked that no one knew what ET was even though it is the largest movement disorder 10 times larger than Parkinson’s. It seemed that 99% of the time the answer was no. Many police departments even answered the same. 

However, the first of May, my life was jerked to a stop. My healthy young son, who was backing me on my journey, went to the hospital with a headache. We learned he had an aggressive stage 4 cancerous tumor the size of a lemon in his brain. He elected to have surgery, never woke, and died on May 20, 2014. 

My life now had changed or maybe seemed to have ended. In June 2014, I sat back and reflected about my journey that had all started with one little book “A Faded Cottage.” How that one night on my birthday writing that book had sent me on a wild journey and I didn’t know if I wanted to continue. I had set out just to write my stories, but my life had turned into a whirlwind and now I had to make a decision.

I don’t give up easy and knew my son would be disappointed if I didn’t continue with the Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor. On August 29, 2014 the IRS approved Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor. 

What is Essential Tremor? (ET) is a progressive neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs, or trunk. Over 10 million Americans have Essential Tremor, including children, and millions more people worldwide. That’s about 5% of all people in the United States. For comparison sake, 7.8% of the population have some type of diabetes.

Through this process of bringing A Faded Cottage to life I have learned a lot. Finding the ET Facebook groups, talking and listening to everyone’s stories so similar to mine has brought calmness to my life. We have to tell others about ET, so people aren’t sitting alone wondering why this is happening to them. 

Even though the stares will forever be, I won’t give up. Now, I’m even more determined the word will spread about Essential Tremor and I’m going to help make it happen. For each book sold of “A Faded Cottage,” proceeds from the sale will go to Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor to bring awareness and help find a cure.   www.diannshaddoxfoundation.org 

Please help me in my journey and join Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor and donate to help us raise funds to find a cure for ET. www.diannshaddoxfoundation.org.

No you won’t die from Essential Tremor, you will die with it. 

• What would you do if your voice quivered so much that you aren't able to speak or you can barely speak? 

• What would you do if your head constantly shakes yes or no? 

• What would you do if every time you try to eat and food flies from your fork or spoon, and your drink splashes on you and everyone at the table? 

• What would you do if you couldn't prepare your own food?

• What would you do if every night the inside of your body quivers as you try to fall asleep? 

• What would you do if you couldn't sign your name, and if you try to fill out a form your hand tremors like a baby bird's wings, and no one can read what you write? 

• What would you do if your legs tremor and you wobble when you walk? 

• What would you do if you couldn't play with your children or help them with school projects because your hand shakes? 

• What would you do if you were afraid to hold your newborn baby?

• What would you do if you’re a teenager and because your hands flutter in class you're teased and bullied? 

• What would you do if you’re a teenager and your dreams of becoming a carpenter, artist, pianist, doctor, nurse or dentist will never come true because of your tremors?

• What if you aren’t able to apply makeup, put in your contact lens, or shave.

• What would you do if you couldn't put on jewelry? (necklace or earrings)

• What would you do if you are a young child and can’t copy your ABC’s or make crafts like the other kids in your class?
  
  

• What would you do if you’re a musician, singer, or artist and your life of playing an instrument, singing or painting abruptly stops?

• What would you do if you were fired from your job because your boss doesn't like to see you tremor, even though you can still do your job?
• What would you do if you couldn't drive a car? 

No you won’t die from Essential Tremor, you will die with Essential Tremor.

There are many misconceptions and people believe that Essential Tremor, (ET) is just a slight tremor in the hands of old people, that’s not true. First and foremost, Essential Tremor can begin at any age, from ages 1 to 100. ET doesn't discriminate with age, race, sex, or national origin.  

I’m sure you are wondering, like most people, what is Essential Tremor. 

Have you ever heard of ET? 99% of the time the answer is no. Many police departments answer the same even though Essential Tremor is the largest and most common movement disorder in the world 10 times larger than Parkinson’s. What is Essential Tremor? (ET) is a progressive neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs, or trunk. Over 10 million Americans have Essential Tremor, including children and millions more people worldwide. That’s about 5% of all people in the United States. For comparison sake, 7.8% of the population have some type of diabetes. Most people though haven’t heard about Essential Tremor.
Essential Tremor can be inherited. *

Here are a few things people living with Essential Tremor deal with. Essential Tremor won’t kill you, but…

• What would you do if your voice quivered so much that you aren't able to speak or you can barely speak? 

• What would you do if your head constantly shakes yes or no? 

• What would you do if every time you try to eat your food it flies from your fork or spoon, and your drink splashes on you and everyone at the table? 

• What would you do if you couldn't prepare your own food?

• What would you do if every night the inside of your body quivers as you try to fall asleep? 

• What would you do if you couldn't sign your name, and if you try to fill out a form, your hand tremors like a baby bird's wings, and no one can read what you write? 

• What would you do if your legs tremor and you wobble when you walk? 

• What would you do if you couldn't play with your children or help them with school projects because your hand shakes? 

• What would you do if you were afraid to hold your newborn baby?

• What would you do if you’re a teenager and because your hands flutter in class you're teased and bullied? 

• What would you do if you’re a teenager and your dreams of becoming a carpenter, artist, pianist, doctor, nurse or dentist will never come true because of your tremors?

• What if you aren’t able to apply makeup, put in your contact lens, or shave.

• What would you do if you couldn't put on jewelry? (necklace or earrings)

• What would you do if you are a young child and can’t copy your ABC’s or make crafts like the other kids in your class?
  

• What would you do if you’re a musician, singer, or artist and your life of playing an instrument, singing or painting abruptly stops?

• What would you do if you were fired from your job because your boss doesn't like to see you tremor, even though you can still do your job?

What would you do if you couldn't drive a car?

No you won’t die from Essential Tremor, you will die with it. 

The quality of life for someone with a movement disorder can be devastating and depression can set in and you wonder is life worth living. Many people hide in their homes not wanting to face the public with the stares and cruel remarks. Numerous people not only lose the quality of life, but they lose their independence of life.

There are many stages of Essential Tremor, mild to severe tremors, and the progression will vary, but the outcome is the same; some part of their body tremors.

That is why the Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor is adamant to find a cause and cure for Essential Tremor. Please join us and help millions around the world living with Essential Tremor. We can make a difference, but we need your help, donate now.

*(The inherited variety of essential tremor is an autosomal dominant disorder. A defective gene from just one parent is needed to pass on the condition.If you have a parent with a genetic mutation for essential tremor, you have a 50 percent chance of developing the disorder yourself. Mayo Clinic)

 

Please go to www.diannshaddoxfoundation.org to learn more.

The Things of Life
Familial or Essential Tremors: You Are Not Alone
by Nancy Carol Brown Hardin
I don't dare carry a cup of coffee from the kitchen to my computer desk. It's impossible for me to take photographs with any kind of camera. Turning the pages of a book is difficult and sometimes I turn two or three. When I eat, it's almost like playing a game of "catch the fork," or the other fun game of "How much of this food can I wear?" I'm no longer able to hand write anything, and barely able to sign "Love, Mom" or "Love, Granny" to birthday and Christmas cards. I use a label program on my computer for addressing envelopes. As for other relatives or friends, they get cards from me only online. 

I'm Sure You're Wondering.... 

If you're wondering "What on earth is this woman talking about?" here's the answer. I have a condition that is known as Familial Tremors orEssential Tremors. My family knows this, but few of my online writing colleagues do, so this may be a revelation to some.

I've Lived With This For Years

That's right, it's nothing new for me. I've had this condtion for several years, but it's worsened as I've aged. Oddly enough, it seems to affect my right hand more than my left, and since I'm right handed that's not a good thing. In my young years, I was able to partially control it or mask it, but now that's no longer possible. The simple task of bringing a cup of coffee with me to my office is a cautious task at best, and a total mess at worst. Some days I can manage to actually have coffee in my cup when I get to my desk. HA!  But the solution of course, is to use acovered carafe, or a thermal cup with a no leak top. I prefer the cup, because the coffee stays hot longer.

There Are Medications For Tremor

A few years back my doctor put me on a medication originally designed to help with convulsions, but which is also used to aid the lessening of tremors. After about a year, the strength of the dosage was increased. This medication is only taken at night when I'm going to bed, because it does tend to put me to sleep. It has an accumulative effect, providing better results over a regular period of taking the drug. However, there are those who prefer not to take a medication for the problem.


Other Diseases and Conditions That Mimic
  
If I miss my meds for any reason, and I do my best not to,  my entire body shakes as though I have what the old folks in my childhood home called "St. Vitus Dance," which is actually Sydenham's Chorea, another movement disorder. As far as I know, there has never been a connection between the two. Parkinson's Disease, is another ailment that causes uncontrollable movement, caused by a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. Again, there has never been a connection between Parkinson's and Familial or Essential Tremors.

Why Is This Called "Familial" or Essential Tremors? 

These tremors are often referred to as Familial or Essential Tremors because they usually run in families. It's thought to be a genetic mutation and is dominant, meaning if only one of the parents has it, the children are more likely to have it.  I can remember my mother as she aged, and I watched her hands shaking. I didn't realize it wasn't due to her age, but to this disorder. Now I see the signs of tremor in two of my children, a son and a daughter. They didn't show the symptoms when they were little, but developed them in their young adult years, just as I have. I'm sure as they grow older, they will have the same problems I do. There are young children who have Essential Tremor, and you can find more about it at the links I've provided below.
www.diannshaddoxfoundation.org


http://nancywriteseverything.blogspot.com/2015/01/familial-or-essential-tremors-you-are.html

Grant
I have trouble with shaving and holding any drinks. My biggest one is I work at a big retail store and when a customer comes up with CD/DVD's we are told to open them up and take out the disk. I have tried but I kept dropping them, so now I tell the customers that I am sorry I don't take them because of my shaking hands. So far they are happy with that.

sleep, which isn't unusual for me, so I made my way downstairs to my cubby office. I decided, since I was wide-awake that I’d work on one of my novels. 

I sat down 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 hitting the correct keys with tremoring fingers. You see, I have had Essential Tremor from my early twenties and I’d learn to deal with my tremors for many years, but this night it became overpowering. 

I leaned back in my chair and stared at the computer screen, my anger grew watching my hands tremble 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, closed my eyes and 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 and my hands calmed, while I released the stress of the evening telling Quaid’s story, a journal of only two weeks of his life. 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 so similar to mine has brought calmness to my life. 

Essential tremor (ET) is a progressive neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs, or trunk. About 10 million Americans have Essential Tremor and million more people worldwide. That's about 5% of all people in the United States. For comparison sake, 7.8% of the population have some type of diabetes. Most people though haven’t heard about Essential Tremor and I’m adamant to bring attention to the world. 

I have become an activist to bring awareness to Essential Tremor and founded the Diann Shaddox Foundation, Non-Profit 501c(3) organization committed to help people struggling in today’s world with neurological conditions such as Essential Tremor, Dystonia, & Parkinson’s. DSF is dedicated to inspire, educate, enlighten, and increase awareness to the world about people living every day with neurological conditions such as Essential Tremor. 100% of the sales of 'A Faded Cottage' will go to the Diann Shaddox Foundation.

Please go to www.diannshaddoxfoundation.org and donate, every penny counts and will bring us closer to finding a cause and cure. DSF’s funds will be used for awareness and will be distributed for research to find the cause and a cure for Essential Tremor.
Now, 'A Faded Cottage' has become a vehicle to explain about Essential Tremor and how so many, over 10 million Americans and millions more worldwide including children, live each day with tremoring hands, head, voice, and entire body. 

Diann Shaddox Foundation and I will make a difference even if it’s only letting a few more people around the world understand what Essential Tremor and movement disorders are. 

www.diannshaddoxfoundation.org 

You aren't alone in the stares

You look at yourself in the mirror, a quivering head and face stares back, you wonder who you are and why has this happened.

You look around a restaurant and believe that all eyes are on you, since you can’t hide your trembling hand as the fork rises to your mouth. Then you lift your glass to drink using both hands and the liquid splashes like ocean waves in a hurricane, wishing you could become invisible.

You look at people staring, as you stand in the checkout line of the grocery store trying to slide your credit card and sign your name, not able to hide your shaky hand.

You look at people around the doctor’s office or emergency room as you try to fill out forms, believing that all eyes are on your trembling hand as they scribble words on paper that no one will be able to read.

You look around a crowded room full of friends, coworkers, and clients and see the buffet table. You know that you can’t hold a plate in one hand and use the other to dip your food. Your plate would be like a kite in a heavy windstorm flapping in your hand.

You want to hide when well-meaning people come up to you and ask ignorant questions; “Why are you so nervous?” and the good one, “Stop shaking.” Well, you want to blurt out, “If I could stop shaking I would,” but you don’t say anything. Then there’s the other group of people that don’t ask, they just stare wondering if you’re on drugs, an alcoholic or just weird.

But, the answer of the stares is really simple, you have to face the stares, tell your story. Remember you aren’t alone; you are one of millions of people around the world that had Essential Tremor. We are a mighty group full of strong people, and with awareness the stares will diminish, maybe not entirely, but people will begin to understand. We will tell our story.

This is an article from Gene who has Essential Tremors and has written some newsletters that he calls NEWSLESSLETTER.
NEWSLESSLETTER—Do You Always Shake Like That? 
He got asked that question from everyone in Hilton Head Hospital who seemed more concerned with his quivering than the pneumonia which was the official reason and condition for which he had been incarcerated. But worse than the constant questioning was the blank look he got in return from the inquisitors, who had absolutely no idea what Essential Tremor was and seemed not to want to hear an explanation. (The following appeared six years ago) 

 Grant
I have trouble with shaving and holding any drinks. My biggest one is I work at a big retail store and when a customer comes up with CD/DVD's we are told to open them up and take out the disk. I have tried but I kept dropping them, so now I tell the customers that I am sorry I don't take them because of my shaking hands. So far they are happy with that.

Charles Schulz was the creator of the peanuts cartoons. He was born November 6, 1922 in Minneapolis Minnesota. The peanuts cartoons were published in 2,600 newspapers, translated into 21 languages so it reached 355 million viewers.

Charles was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 6, 1922. Schulz's parents were Dena (Harverson) and Carl Schulz. He was an only child. He attended kindergarten in 1928 at Mattocks School were his teacher encouraged his first drawings. In 1934 the Schulz family gets a black and white dog named Spike, he was a black and white mutt. 

In 1936  Charles entered high school at St. Paul Central High School. Charles had a job as a caddie for Highland Park Golf Club. In 1937 was when Charles's first drawing was released. It was a sketch of Spike that was contributed to the February 22 panel of the newspaper comic called " Believe it or Not " by Robert Ripely. In 1940 Charles graduated high school and his drawings submitted to the senior year book are declined.Mr. Schulz drew ''Peanuts'' for nearly half a century. He swore that no one else would ever draw the comic strip and he kept his word. For years he drew ''Peanuts'' with a hand tremor. 

In the 1980s Schulz complained that "sometimes my hand shakes so much I have to hold my wrist to draw." The hand tremor affected Schulz's signature, but most people didn’t have any idea. The hand tremor led to the erroneous assumption that Schulz had Parkinson’s Disease. However, according to a letter from his physician, placed in the Archives of the Charles M. Schulz Museum by his widow Jean Schulz, he had Essential Tremor. Despite this, Schulz insisted on writing and drawing the strip by himself. However, his decision in 1988 to abandon the strict four-panel format in his daily strips, which he'd used since Peanuts began, is reported to partly have been an attempt to gain more flexibility, as he then could do some one-panel strips, which took less time to draw than four panels.

On the morning of Sunday, February 13, 2000, newspaper readers opened their comic pages as they had for nearly fifty years to read the latest adventures of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts Gang. This Sunday was different, though; mere hours before newspapers hit doorsteps with the final original Peanuts comic strip, its creator Charles M. Schulz, who once described his life as being “one of rejection,” passed away peacefully in his sleep the night before, succumbing to complications from colon cancer.  It was a poetic ending to the life of a devoted cartoonist who, from his earliest memories, knew that all he wanted to do was “draw funny pictures.”

To learn more about Charles Schulz and “Peanuts” go to http://schulzmuseum.org/

Dale, age 52 by HopeNETAdmin
Dale’s symptoms started around age 40 when he noticed a tremor when his hands were in motion. It was initially sporadic and he would shake more at times than at other times. By his late 40s the tremor had become worse, he noticed his fingers would tremor, and he believed anxiety and caffeine made it worse, but not always. 

Personal Stories – Sheila, age 70 
by HopeNETAdmin

Sheila, age 70
Sheila’s tremor started with a couple of episodes while living in Korea around 2006. She went to the emergency room – they did an EEG but symptoms had gone away by the time the doctor saw her.  She remembers trying to sleep and feeling the tremor start, without knowing why.  Seems when she gets urinary tract infections, it triggers the tremor. If she gets busy in the morning and can’t find time to eat, the tremor gets better. She saw a neurologist for the first time in 2010, and Propranolol was prescribed. Besides Propranolol she has had other prescriptions but has taken nothing that she’s been comfortable with.  She gets angry about the tremors sometimes wondering, “why is this happening to me” and feels sorry for herself. Her hands started trembling first then her lip started trembling … emotions  such as those caused by relationship conflict are a trigger for a tremor episode. She takes Clonazapam, prescribed for depression she attributes to the tremor.

Less than a year ago she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and started taking medicine for that. She also takes Zanax which was prescribed for anxiety related to the tremor, and it is the only medicine that really has helped her tremor. She feels she’s been around the mulberry bush several times with doctors trying to see if something will work.

None of her friends or family has acted adversely to her tremor.

I wanted to add this story. It isn't all adults who suffer with ET. This is about Nathaniel one child's struggle.
Hi. My name is Crystal. 3 years ago we noticed my youngest son who was 2 at the time was tilting his head a lot and his hands would shake. I took him to the Dr. who then referred us to a Neurologist at Children s hospital in Seattle. Nathaniel had an MRI done and it was determined that he has Essential Tremors. My Mom has them too, but she doesn't call them essential she just calls them Familial. Nathaniel was 2 when he was diagnosed. He is now 5 and because he is in kinder we are noticing he is struggling more and his hands and arms are tremoring more frequently. His Dr. sent another referral to Children s Hospital and village(closer to our home) and he will most likely have another MRI done. 
A year ago we had him tested for special ed because he was having some behavior issues, the only thing he qualified for was O.T. But the lady could only see him when I was at work. I work 3 hours a day. LOL So we had to withdrawl. 
We had him tested again for O.T. this year and he didn't qualify by 2 points. 
Well a few weeks ago his tremor was pretty bad, where most his body was shaking. the school nurse called me and his teacher was staying with him. This caused me to be more worried. ANd push more. We are now trying to get him a 504 plan so they can make accommodations for him at school. Things like writing, drawing, eating, grabbing are hard for him and stressful. He can do it but not always in the time they want. 

Growing up with Essential Tremor (ET)

I was a happy, outgoing little girl growing up in Maryland. With dark ash blonde hair, navy blue eyes with big pupils, I was quiet but confident. I loved drama class and tried out for every school play. I prided myself in the fact I was in all honors classes at a nice, private girls’ school and raised my hand enthusiastically for every question. I felt safe and happy.

I remember clearly when I was nine years old, being intimidated by Mrs. Wrigley in math class. We all had to take a pop quiz. We were to start off writing our name in the top left corner. She stood over me staring down and I was writing… and my little hand began to shake. She said, ‘GO ahead, and don’t let me stop you.” I remember clearly struggling 

My name is Colleen and I have a disease called Essential Tremor.  

Essential Temor is not contagious, does not mean I am less intelligent or that I did something wrong; I just shake. It can affect your voice, arms, legs, hands, head; basically any part of your body. I am blessed to only have it in my head. 

When I was about 30, I began to notice my head was shaking; I went to a doctor and she said I was just suffering from anxiety. She gave me a pill and it just made me tired.  I eventually went to a neurologist and they diagnosed me with ET.  They can give me beta blockers, anti-seizures drugs, or some other medication but it doesn't totally take the shaking away. I can drink alcohol and it helps some but I don't want that to be an option for me.

I have still accomplished a lot in my life; I have raised six children, almost got my Masters degree and am a very social person. Essential Temor does affect my self-esteem and I do try to hide my temor at times.

It is hard to get a job because everyone thinks I am nervous or when I talk to people they look at me strange because they are wondering why I am so nervous or something is wrong with me. It makes it hard socially because others do not understand ET.  If you notice someone is shaking; please do not judge them please accept them as they are. I am ask often if I have Parkinson's disease; no I just shake.

I am writing this because I want Essential Temor research to find a cure or something that helps the shaking. I am trying to help the public be more aware of this disease. There are millions of us that have ET.

Thanks for listening,

Colleen