You know I tell stories for a living, but here's one I couldn't make up. It's the real deal. And it's my new favorite.

While speaking at the 12th Annual DI Day in Minneapolis in September, I met fellow speaker Billy McLaughlin. Billy is a virtuoso guitarist who has a condition called focal dystonia, an incurable neuromuscular disorder. I don't have enough space here to share his full story, but you can find out all about him at www.billymclaughlin.com.

Here's the short version. Billy was at the top of his game—agent, recording contract, single on the Billboard charts, magazine covers, awards. And then, in the prime of his career, the fingers on his left hand stopped working.