Working with one hand and thinking around problems

At a recent session Ann Brand, one of our volunteers, explained how she coped working with one hand. She had had a stroke herself which had left her without the use of her left arm and weakness in her left leg, but free of speech or cognitive impairment. A recent fall had resulted in a fracture to the bone of her already weak leg, exacerbating her disability She said she was nevertheless lucky to have lost the use of her left hand as she was right- handed. Some of the stroke recoverers were less fortunate in this respect.

With special adaptations to her car and domestic appliances, particularly in the kitchen – and also with any amount of willpower - she was able to drive and cope with most day to day activities. She stressed the need to allow extra time and to think things out carefully, preferably before starting a job.

The other volunteers and the recoverers were then asked to join in a discussion on the problems. Amongst the intriguing gadgets mentioned as aids was a battery-powered tin opener demonstrated by a recoverer, Jean Raisey.

anne and jean showing the obne touch can opener

photo: Ben Parker

She is pictured with her Culinare ‘One Touch Can Opener’ on the table, alongside a tin of baked beans, which it had just opened (available from Robert Dyas at £17.99 or from Healthy Living Direct, Cat. No.13781 at £9.99 plus packing and postage of £4.95 – Tel. No. 0871 472 4250).

Anna Oatley, our nonagenarian volunteer, is pictured holding her battery-powered jar and bottle opener – the ‘One Touch Jar Opener’ (available from Lakelands, Guildford at £19.99; also expected to be stocked by Robert Dyas by Christmas ’08).

photo: Ben Parker

These gadgets all need batteries. Prices should be checked to ensure up to date.

After a refreshments break, Avril O’Brien, who is the guiding hand behind many of our sessions, invited volunteers to do some specified art work and writing with their non-writing hand. They struggled with this, but found a further exercise, to convey a request without speaking or writing it down, even more challenging. The recoverers, carrying out the same exercises, were considerably more proficient!

To ease the frustration the session concluded with a Bob Marley recording of ‘3 Little Birds’ with everyone joining in the much repeated lines of ‘Don’t worry about a thing, ‘cos every little thing is gonna be alright.’

Perhaps website visitors who know of useful devices for those whose handling is impaired would provide details.

July 2008

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