August 6, 1993

Dear Miss McClintock,

I know that you will rejoice with me because I have completed the first one hundred lessons of The McClintock Piano Course.”

I have told you, I am sure, that it was always my desire to play the piano and that I had looked forward to taking piano lessons after I retired. However, I retired with a physical condition that shattered all hope of attaining this goal. Confined to a wheelchair, unable to walk or barely stand with crutches, being told by the medical profession that there was nothing they could do to help me, and being quite alone, I was insisting that my nephew take my lovely Steinway and get it out of my sight. At this point I learned of your piano course. I was reluctant to get involved with this as I could not believe that it was possible for me to learn to play and really understand what I must learn without the presence of an instructor. This Cou’rse certainly removed all my doubts as 1 eagerly delved into each successive lesson. The instructions are written so clearly that I felt someone was present listening and telling me to play even the simplest exercise musically and to be conscious of the phrasing. The principles presented in this Course are so beautifully demonstrated in your lovely compositions that one does not realize he is learning.

Here I am one hundred lessons later in spite of several physical setbacks -including a stay in the hospital – quite confident that I am playing rather well and with complete comprehension, also with great anticipation. I played for a lovely woman who was raised in an Italian family with a devotion to music. She commented on my beautiful touch and musical feeling.

Many of my physical difficulties have been overcome – for example, my feet are without feeling but I have learned to use the pedal; my left shoulder, arm and fingers have given me great problems and pain, but I have been able to persevere and find them functioning far better. Truly, perfecting the music inspires perfection in other works including all that I attempt.

By far the greatest reward this Course has given me is a will to get up in the morning, take care of myself and my needs and proceed to achieve with my piano lessons and other functions of my life. When I go to bed at night I have good thoughts of music, not debilitating thoughts of despair. I now have a sense of worth and achievement which I had really given up on completely in this earthly experience. I even have hope of a complete healing of my difficulties. How can I ever thank you?

Sincerely, Jean Siiva
(typed from hand-written copy)