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@Almost Tone Deaf
I once saw in person a dobro player who was born without arms. He learned to play the instrument with his feet and he did very well, I mean very well! I think with the proper motivation and willingness to practice you can do just about anything. You may never be a concert violinist but I'd lay money that you could be able to play some nice tunes and would enjoy it very much.
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"But my big question is: Even after checking out these other instruments and trying the violin with not much success, why the heck do I still have this burning desire to try and play the violin?
I would like to ask some of the forum members here; What made you decide to play the violin, as we know it is one of the most difficult musical instruments to play. Was it your love of the sound of the violin or maybe the challenge of playing? "
My question for myself is - WHY did I wait so long?
Challenging yes but one of the coolest things I think is that - it is almost as if each violin is an individual.
Most instruments of each kind sound the same all flutes make the same flute sound. All trumpets sound like trumpets, etc. Not all violins sound or look the same.
Take my Berty. Yes Berty - Who names a flute or trumpet!!?? Cold masses of metal.
Anyway. Berty made from something that was living and as expressive as a human's voice. Visually pleasing, well proportioned.
Goodness people do not tell my husband I am having a LOVE AFFAIR!!
Violinist start date - May 2013
Fiddler start date - May 2014
FIDDLE- Gift from a dear friend. A 1930-40 german copy, of a french copy of a Stradivarius. BOW - $50 carbon fiber. Strings - Dominants with E Pirastro Gold string.
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Schaik - That's a great question!
The first instrument I ever asked to play was the Violin when I started Middle School, but my parents refused saying it was too difficult to learn, I'm now officially exacting my revenge!
My desire and background is not for classical violin but for Bluegrass and Old-Time. My family comes from Kentucky and I have 2 cousins that already play a Fiddle and also a great, great grandfather that was a well known dance fiddler in the immediate area of Ky where my family lives.
I feel the same way: "Why did I wait so long?" "Well to be honest, I was busy learning to play other instruments, and honestly I didn't really give it much thought since then because I felt it would be too difficult. However, 5 months ago I got my hands on a Fiddle for a week or so and after playing around with it I started to say to myself: "Hey, you know, this isn't too bad, I CAN do this"! Since then I've been hooked. I also think personal maturity has something to do with it myself in my personal case.
In your case maybe it just boils down to: "Why are you playing and why do you have such a burning desire? Is it because your trying to accomplish something or achieve something or do you just downright really enjoy it?" If you have the desire, then you should stick with it and keep playing, if it makes you happy and gives you a sense of satisfaction that's important. So, 1st off, what are your personal motives?
Some of us can sprint to the finish line on learning an instrument and get their quickly. Some of us are kinda like the Tortoise, we may take forever getting there, but eventually we get there. I think most of us are somewhere in between. Certain aspects take more time than others, it's the same for all of us. However the Violin takes a certain amount of patience that's not necessarily required with other instruments I've tackled. There's alot of multi-tasking goin on in many ways. I've found that if you break everything down into little pieces it makes learning it alot less difficult.
So, ask yourself, what are your real motives for learning this instrument? Mainly therein is where you'll find your answer.
" I just keep telling myself...."It's all about becoming one with your bow"
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I started so young (12 years old) that I never gave that much thought. The one thing that kept me going, besides getting attention as a child, is how versitle the instrument is.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Thanks to everyone here who has given their input, it is very much appreciated
Schaick: You nailed it, I loved your explanation. Well I'm not waiting any longer
I am going to rent the left handed Gliga student violin, the one I took my lesson on was already rented to a student. It's the first week of school here in Fla. And the students who belong to The Flager County Youth Orchestra get first crack at renting the band instruments. So it will be about 5 to 7 working days for them to get a left handed Gliga.
For those who have followed my post's know about the problem I have with my left hand. So while I am waiting for the Gliga, I am going to concentrate on strengthening my left hand with some new rehab exercises, I just got from the VA.
Then because I can't hold my left hand in a bent position, I am in the process of making a special glove for my bow hand.
Iv'e turned my golf glove inside out placed a heavy gauge bell wire along the fingers, used good old fashion duct tape to hold the wire in place, turned the glove right side out. and bent the position of the fingers of the glove to match my hand position of holding the bow, And then as I am writing this, I am sewing each finger of the glove to secure the bell wire and hold it in place.
Thank You all who have responded to my post for giving me the inspiration and motivation to figure out how I can at least hold the bow, and maybe at least learn how to play a few notes on this thing they call a violin.
Regulars
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I am so happy for you @Almost Tone Deaf!! Great idea for the glove!!
Violinist start date - May 2013
Fiddler start date - May 2014
FIDDLE- Gift from a dear friend. A 1930-40 german copy, of a french copy of a Stradivarius. BOW - $50 carbon fiber. Strings - Dominants with E Pirastro Gold string.
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Sounds very interesting ATD. By all means share some glove pictures with us so we get a better idea of what you are doing. 
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Fiddlerman asked me to post some pics of my glove, My left hand I will use to hold my bow. The third pic is the natural curve of my left hand, my middle finger is useless no real feeling. I have no real dexterity or much movement in my left hand. That's why I have to go with a left handed violin.
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Way-To-Go there !
Keep us advised on your progress!
Bill
I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh - 
Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)
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Thanks MadBill.
Update: The 2nd glove I just made, I used 3 strips of bell wire for my middle finger, and two strips for the other fingers, with a little gorilla glue on the duct tape, I don't have to sew the glove to keep the bell wire in place This helps me hold the bow with even more control. I am now holding the bow about 90% correctly, and I am pleased with that result.
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Ingenious thoughts of mechanical design! Nothing can stop a determined violinist.
"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein
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Thanks for the kind words cdennyb.
As this is a work in progress, I know my thumb should be under my 1st and 2nd finger, I attached 3 strips of bell wire to the thumb and I am able to almost get my thumb where It needs to be.
BTW, Awesome avatar.
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