Don,

I have a slightly different problem than you, I suffered neurological damage, which means that the fingers don't necessarily go where I point them, and tend to stick--The first three frets have been big problems for me, as well. I have worked out a few things that have helped considerably-the way that I play is different than I had played before, but I have found new and often better ways to do things than before--Best thing is to PM me with specific things that you are having trouble with--scales, licks, or chord fingerings, and I'll share what I can--good luck, it is a difficult thing to have to deal with--