When my late father Les started primary school in 1927, he was a natural left hander. So as he learned how to write, he always put the pen in his left hand. The teachers were not bad people, but he was always hit on the back of his legs until he transferred the pen to his write hand. From that year on, Les wrote exclusively with his right hand.
Even in middle age, he was still playing tennis, golf, bridge and snooker with his left hand. Everything except handwriting!
This week I was walking down the street, never less than 2 metres away from the closest person. Yet two hoons ran up from behind, yelling about the stupidity of allowing elderly people out of their houses. In fear I fell over on the concrete footpath, breaking one finger, dislocating another finger, cutting the face above the eye and bruising the jaw like a boxer. All injuries were on my right side!
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Even after the pain reduced, my right hand, fingers and wrist were immobilised. My father had been forced into a type of ambidexterity, but I had never been. So here are the things that I cannot do for myself:
1. Put on or take off a bra
2. Take off any clothes below the waist eg slacks, undies
3. Push tablets out of their metal foil pockets
4. Brush teeth as well with the left hand as I would with the right
5. File my nails
6. Open the fridge door
7. Open soft drink bottle tops
8. Chop vegetables
9. Peel fruit
10. Type on the computer with any fingers on the right hand
11. Use the remote control for TV
12. Turn on the cold tap (which is always on the right side)
13. Put the key into the front door lock etc.. etc..
Thank goodness the spouse was still self isolating at home and was prepared to cook dinner each night. But what do people who live alone do? What do people who permanently damage their dominant hand do? And how long will my clumsiness last?
Even in middle age, he was still playing tennis, golf, bridge and snooker with his left hand. Everything except handwriting!
This week I was walking down the street, never less than 2 metres away from the closest person. Yet two hoons ran up from behind, yelling about the stupidity of allowing elderly people out of their houses. In fear I fell over on the concrete footpath, breaking one finger, dislocating another finger, cutting the face above the eye and bruising the jaw like a boxer. All injuries were on my right side!
Phalanx Dislocations of the hand
Orthobullets
1. Put on or take off a bra
2. Take off any clothes below the waist eg slacks, undies
3. Push tablets out of their metal foil pockets
4. Brush teeth as well with the left hand as I would with the right
5. File my nails
6. Open the fridge door
7. Open soft drink bottle tops
8. Chop vegetables
9. Peel fruit
10. Type on the computer with any fingers on the right hand
11. Use the remote control for TV
12. Turn on the cold tap (which is always on the right side)
13. Put the key into the front door lock etc.. etc..
Thank goodness the spouse was still self isolating at home and was prepared to cook dinner each night. But what do people who live alone do? What do people who permanently damage their dominant hand do? And how long will my clumsiness last?