I'm not trying to contradict you ST, really I'm not, I think you made the right choice
But you reminded of a bloke I saw busking Nottingham. I don't usually reward buskers, it only encourages them
but this guy was different. He had no right arm, just a stump. And he played guitar. He didn't just strum a bit, he really played it. I can't quite remember how he did it, it was a long time ago. I think that somehow he was fingering with his left hand as well as using it for the chords. Just brilliant. He wasn't an old man either, so it's possible that he is still around and still performing.
I'm glad you've kept your RK and guard though