Purpose

I am a young mezzo-soprano and was recently injured during a production of the Marriage of Figaro, where I was singing Cherubino. Due to a collection of small mistakes (by management/production), I tripped and slammed the side of my face full-force against the stage wall.

Apparently, I bounced right back up and didn't miss a cue ... I just remember exiting into the closet and feeling blood coming from my ear!! I finished the production (I am quite stubborn).

That accident occurred on May 16. Over two months later and I am still needing medical intervention for three bulging discs in my neck and other issues. Yes, I do whine from time to time. It's not easy.

But the worst injury by far was to my jaw. The main impact was on my left tempro-mandibular joint (where I needed stitches to close the wound in my ear), and my jaw has not healed properly. My opening is less than half of a normal persons opening ... and much less than what I need as a singer. I am scheduled for surgery on September 10, which will have a 6 week recovery period, then more rehab.

I never blog, but I've started this in the hopes of sharing my story with others. Having an injury that directly affects a musical talent/emerging profession is particularly heartbreaking. My depression worsens with each day that I can't sing ... I feel silenced, and I wonder what I am supposed to do during these muted moments.

So that's the deal -- I hope to post updates as well as research on TMJ disorders ... we'll see what happens. This is so much more than an injury; because of this, I have been forced to conquer personal demons, question my faith and spend endless hours wondering WHY and HOW this happened.

Thanks for reading.