Living with Essential Tremor

I have been having essential tremors for more than 40 years now. I was 4 when my mother noticed first time my shacking hands and I was about 30 when finally a neurologist gave a name to my condition. It is an embarrassing condition indeed and only those that have it can really understand the feeling. People either run from you judging you without knowing (you might be an alcoholic) or make bad jokes. I have been trying to live my life with dignity even though I many times spilled the drinks on me or others in public. I always handle with care hot liquids. Thanks God! Somebody invented the mugs! I decided to not have children to be sure I do not spread the gene; but I have to say I am the first generation in my family with this condition. I stay away from any medication as long as I do not have to go in public, meet people or even worse, to speak in public. All those events make me so shaky that I have to take a pill before I attend any event; if driving is not involved, I better take a drink before I leave home- less side effects than the pills. I tried to use my hands as much as possible all my life despise the shaking. I saw, I knit, and I’ve even learned typing 3 years ago (I’ve never thought I could). I know it gets worse with the age and I can tell already the difference now from 10 years ago.