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BETTE FRANKE
PIANIST

I began playing the piano at age 13, in Tulsa, OK, largely through the influence of my Father, T. J. Dean, Professional trumpet player, piano salesman and tuner. I shall never forget the day he brought home my first piano, and my first piano lesson. I progressed rapidly, spending 2 or 3 hours per day practicing. However, I also inherited something else from my Father-and that was his badly arranged set of teeth, which eventually, in about 1980, while in Phoenix, AZ, made a full set of braces necessary. Upon removal of the braces in 1982,(which had been done incorrectly) I discovered I had temporamandibular joint dysfunction, (or TMJ), which, unknown to me and the specialists, was the beginning of Oromandibular Dystonia. After being unsuccessfully fitted with many "splints", an orthopedic device which I still must wear at night, another specialist recommended that I enter a Pain and Stress Center, as I was, honestly, a nervous "wreck". Biofeedback, physical therapy, oral muscle relaxants, and visits with a psychologist were part of that program for almost 2 weeks. Nothing helped the ever-increasing muscle spasms in my jaws and surrounding areas.

My first husband and I said good-by to my married daughter, our son, and my friends and drove to Chicago.

Sleep was impossible in the motel that night, and spasms were becoming worse in additional areas of my pain-ridden upper body. This was a scene that would repeat itself over and over in my quest to find out what was wrong.

Upon arriving in Northbrook, IL, I then consulted with a Neurologist on the North Shore but, to no avail. In fact, the only relief received was given by my GP with nerve block shots.

I did continue to play the piano consistently at our church, and even took some more private piano lessons.

In 1994, we were divorced after 37 years of marriage, mostly due to the above
I decided to move back to Phoenix to be nearer to our children, and was referred to Dr. Drake Duane, MD, neurologist. He diagnosed me with spasmodic torticollis and began injections of botulinum toxin and medications. This finally ended my 14 year search.

In 1999, I married for the second time to Louis Franke, and began to teach piano at home. In June of 2005, I obtained my Certification with the Music Teachers National Association, which involved 2 tests, and a performance. I have played three Concerts for Dystonia Awareness. At my recent Concert, I played Chopin, excerpts of Rhapsody in Blue, a Bach Prelude, a hymn arrangement, and 2 selections which I wrote.

Great job Bette...and well deserved!!!
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