I had tried a friend's V Raptor a couple of years ago. I had finally saved and decided to order mine in January. The weekend before I was going to order, I was doing my usual volunteer work at the local animal shelter and got bit by one of the cats on my right index finger. The tendon got very infected, I had emergency surgery on my hand, and was in the hospital for four days on IV antibiotics, with the possibility of more surgeries looming. I could have lost my finger, or even my whole arm, and was terrified that I would never play again, but luckily left the hospital with only a finger full of stitches and no more infections or surgery.

I still had a long way to go before I knew how I was going to play again, but decided to order my new horn anyway. When I called, my hand was still bandaged and immobilized and would be for several more weeks, but I knew that having my V Raptor to look forward to would be a great incentive during my rehabilitation. I probably drove you all crazy with how often I called to ask when my horn would be ready, but it really helped to keep me going during the most frustrating moments of trying to make my hand work again! When I got my horn, it was just so easy to play that I had even more incentive to practice, and now even though my hand isn't completely normal, I've gotten to the point that I am actually a click or two faster than I was before the bad kitty got me!

I still have a lot of work to do, but I'm very happy I've got a horn that makes it a little easier. Crazy story, huh? You all helped me out just a little more than you knew :)

Thanks again,

Amanda Marquis
Virginia

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