What a great story!!! Thank you for sharing it.

To get around the detuning issue, you can get a capo and put it on the first fret. When counting frets, you have to start one up from the capo. Technically, it's the second fret, but in your situation it will be the first. Otherwise when you play along with the lessons it won't sound right...all of your notes will be flat.

Best of luck...this is a great place to learn!!