Medical Diagnosis: Self-diagnosed Tendonitis in left hand; ganglionic cyst on left wrist.
Camille writes video teaching tapes for computer software. She also teaches introductory computer courses and computer-aided transcription (CAT), which involves changing Steno to English, at a state college. She types between five and ten hours a day, seven days a week.

Over time, Camille developed tendinitis and a ganglionic cyst (a large lump caused by swelling of the sheath around a tendon). Eventually, they became severe enough to interfere with her work.

"I explored my condition by attending lectures and reading up on the subject. Then I began to do everything I could do over-the-counter. I used wraps and unguents, gobbled Tylenol, and even tried aspirin. At the same time, I tried different typing postures. Nothing worked. As the pain increased, I typed with my hands and wrists wrapped - and wrapped tightly. It was the only way I could get some relief.

"Finally, I came across an ad for the Kinesis^® Ergonomic Keyboard and sent for a brochure. Reading about the research they had done and their 30-day, money-back guarantee impressed me enough to order.

"As soon as my Kinesis keyboard arrived, I loaded Typing Tutor^® and started the exercises. After four or five hours, I was comfortably typing about 50 words a minute. Before I became injured, I was typing 60 words a minute. Since practice makes perfect, now I'm back up to speed.

"It did take me a little while to get used to the new positions of the cursor keys. I hold my hands a little bit differently. But it is simply different- not an inconvenience.

"As my husband and students can testify, my results were miraculous. Within the first few days my lump disappeared. Within a week, I had no residual pain or problems. Now it's no aspirin, no wraps, nothing. I know everyone's situation is different, but for me, the Kinesis keyboard has been miraculous.

"I simply cannot compare a traditional keyboard to the Kinesis. They're like peas and apples, or going from a horse to the SST. It's a real technological advantage. I love the touch of the keys, and how the different levels of keys fit my fingers. The thumb keys are wonderful. I use the AIt and Delete and Home keys extensively with my word processing software. I found them extremely convenient and well placed. I did, however, remap the Space key to the foot pedal. Putting it there is a better rhythm for me - less distracting than pressing the key. But it's really personal preference.

"For me, the function keys are a stroke of genius. Without moving my eyes from the screen, my fingers find them immediately. And their soft touch is fantastic.

"When I took my Kinesis keyboard with me to school, I allowed the court reporting division to use it. Their response was tremendous. Everyone said, 'It's a wonderful design. Why didn't they do this 50 years ago?' They were still talking about the Kinesis a week later and saying, 'This is the way keyboards should be'."