Friends in France recommended my company to a 4-century French vineyard estate family in the Champagne Region. Who knew that a hand doctor in Paris, Dr. Badois, would send a new client to us in America?
WHY IS MY FINGER BENDING OVER?
It started when my wife turned 50. Dupuytren’s Contracture causes fingers to contract. Sue remembered her aunt had to stop being a seamstress because of her fingers becoming contracted. I learned a lot about the disease. I discovered that the French had the best treatment for Sue’s situation. After some research, I scheduled an appointment in Paris for Sue. I called it her “Hand Tune Up.” Being a car guy who happens to work in the global professional motorsports markets, we worked the Le Mans 24-hour race five times. Our first treatment was in the study of Dr. Badois’s home. Now, Sue has completed 12 such events with five different doctors over 28 years. I called Dr. Badois for her 4th “tune-up” and he recommended considering Dr. Charles Eaton in Jupiter, Florida, the first hand expert from America that Badois trained. Sue preferred “Charlie” because Sue has almost no French vocabulary. Sue’s case is part of the work by Dr. Eaton published upon his Founding of the Dupuytren Foundation.
THE FRENCH CONNECTION
As we engaged with the French family helping them find new partners in North America, we studied many Champagne brands. Our launch included winning 2 golds and a silver in a prestigious event in San Francisco. Madame Clicquot is credited with the breakthroughs in processing plus marketing in the early 1800s. She established her brand with nobility in Russia, and throughout Europe. I selected Veuve Clicquot Brut “yellow label” for our 56th-anniversary celebration. The distinctive label has been in production since the late 19th century.
During our marriage of 56 years, we enjoyed over 57 trips to Europe and UK. My amazing wife continues her love of Brut Champagne and Prosecco.
CHEERS!
This is slightly off topic, but I studied at the University of Bordeaux while I was in college. The other American college kids in my class and I were fortunate to have a raging oenophile and medievalist as a student advisor and as such were treated to tours and visits to many of the greatest houses in France, including Maison Cliquot, Moët, Château Greysac, Château Bourgneuf and many others that I no longer remember off the top of my head. The most memorable of these trips included attending the annual Jurade (https://vins-saint-emilion.com/en/ambassadors/the-jurade/) at the Sanctuaire Troglodyte de Saint Emilion one chilly, foggy night nearing Halloween (https://www.saintemilion-unesco.com/parcours-decouverte/saint-emilion-place-du-marche-vue-de-leglise-monolithe/). I love that country and her people deeply. Bon voyage, Rob!
.. I have about the worst case of the Syndrome & both hands, Rob + both thumbs with Gamekeeper’s Thumb.. & ain’t no doubt - ‘LifeStyle Induced - Wear & Tear 🦎🏴☠️