An invitation for suggestions on any type of disability, but at this point, specific to a personal relatively minor problem.
DW tripped while going up the stairs to our campground home. Putting out her left hand to break the fall, she suffered a distal radius fracture... (a broken lower armbone) at the wrist. A trip to the emergency room, and a temporary splint, it appears that the break was clean, and while a short cast may be in the future, she'll likely be limited in the use of her left hand for four to six weeks. (she's right handed)
Certainly not a catastrophic event, and little pain, but it presents some challenges... sooo... soliciting ideas to help cope with this inconvenience.
The major problems come from those simple activities that require two hands.
Opening jars, lifting light objects that are too wide to grip with one hand.
Writing notes, letters or checks... paper slips on writing surface.
Using computer ... where both hands are necessary... ie. control/alt /delete.
Fastening seat belt
Pill containers... snap top multi-day
Washing, rinsing dishes, cleaning pots or pans.
Showering
Eating utensils... mainly, ability to slice with a knife.
Opening food packaging- frozen food packages, zip sealed containers
Reading newspapers, books.
Imagine going through the day with one arm in a sling, and you'll get the idea. Yes, some minor help from the fingertips in the injured arm, but no strength or grip.
So far, a few minor adjustments:
rubberized place mats to stabilize slippery items
cast cover for showering
makeshift clamp, lockjaw pliers.
arm sling
rubber fingertip
What seems to be the missing link, is some type of artificial hand... a clamp or vise type of gripper tool that can sit on a counter or table, to lock in an object to be opened or manipulated.
This is not a life changing event, and we're taking this in stride. It's not disruptive to anything of importance in out lives... simply a wake up call for whatever comes in the future. It's a reminder of how lucky we are and have been. At the same time, it grows our empathy for those who go through this or other types of disability on a temporary or permanent basis.
Open for any kind of experience or discussion that might be of help to those who are, or may be... dealing with a disability.
DW tripped while going up the stairs to our campground home. Putting out her left hand to break the fall, she suffered a distal radius fracture... (a broken lower armbone) at the wrist. A trip to the emergency room, and a temporary splint, it appears that the break was clean, and while a short cast may be in the future, she'll likely be limited in the use of her left hand for four to six weeks. (she's right handed)
Certainly not a catastrophic event, and little pain, but it presents some challenges... sooo... soliciting ideas to help cope with this inconvenience.
The major problems come from those simple activities that require two hands.
Opening jars, lifting light objects that are too wide to grip with one hand.
Writing notes, letters or checks... paper slips on writing surface.
Using computer ... where both hands are necessary... ie. control/alt /delete.
Fastening seat belt
Pill containers... snap top multi-day
Washing, rinsing dishes, cleaning pots or pans.
Showering
Eating utensils... mainly, ability to slice with a knife.
Opening food packaging- frozen food packages, zip sealed containers
Reading newspapers, books.
Imagine going through the day with one arm in a sling, and you'll get the idea. Yes, some minor help from the fingertips in the injured arm, but no strength or grip.
So far, a few minor adjustments:
rubberized place mats to stabilize slippery items
cast cover for showering
makeshift clamp, lockjaw pliers.
arm sling
rubber fingertip
What seems to be the missing link, is some type of artificial hand... a clamp or vise type of gripper tool that can sit on a counter or table, to lock in an object to be opened or manipulated.
This is not a life changing event, and we're taking this in stride. It's not disruptive to anything of importance in out lives... simply a wake up call for whatever comes in the future. It's a reminder of how lucky we are and have been. At the same time, it grows our empathy for those who go through this or other types of disability on a temporary or permanent basis.
Open for any kind of experience or discussion that might be of help to those who are, or may be... dealing with a disability.