Shakira Hussein, who was diagnosed with remitting-relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS), has found a new musical path by learning the tabla after the condition affected her ability to play the violin. Initially, Hussein did not connect her deteriorating violin technique with other symptoms like crushing exhaustion and unexplained falls.
The MS diagnosis, which impacted her fine motor skills and balance, meant she could no longer ride her bike or play the violin as before. Despite hoping to play a Bach double violin concerto with her daughter, Hussein struggled with even simple duets.
After an occupational therapist suggested alternatives, Hussein tried playing the guitar, but found it frustrating. Twenty years after her diagnosis, she began taking lessons for the tabla, a pair of traditional hand drums, noting it is a more forgiving instrument for those with reduced manual dexterity. Hussein has been taking lessons for the past 18 months, learning finger positioning and compositions.
While she acknowledges she will not play the Bach double with her daughter on the violin, Hussein believes they can still make music together, as violin and tabla can be a beautiful combination.