Question:
Dr. Bill,
You mention many times on your website to pick a dominant hand
and go with it for signing one handed things. I have arthritis
in my dominant hand and some days have to fingerspell with the
other- is it better to retrain that hand to spell more
efficiently or switch to it only on bad days?
~Laurie Dalzell
Response:
Dear Laurie,
Advice:
1. Do both. Retrain your hand to spell more efficiently -- and only switch to it on bad days. :) It is up to you. Not a big deal either way.
I recommend though that you don't switch back and forth during the same conversation
(unless you "have to") because that would become a
distraction. If it is a matter of switching back and forth or not communicating, then by all means
communicate in whatever fashion works for you.
2. Note: My doctorate is in Education, NOT in medicine, so,
if I had a lawyer I'm sure he'd tell me to tell you that you'd best
check with your medical doctor before starting any
diet or exercise
program, immersing your hands into wax, or taking any supplement that might conflict with
current medications. That being said, the real issue here is your arthritis. Are you
doing all you can to mitigate (lesson the impact of) your arthritis?
Ask yourself:
- Have you read at least 10 evidence-based (fairly recent) books on the topic
of arthritis?
- Have you invested in a paraffin wax bath for your hands?
- Do you stretch your hands in careful but deliberate ways that
extend the muscles and ligaments?
- Do you "eat the rainbow" (a wide variety of healthy fruits and
vegetables?
- Are you taking glucosamine after having read current research
and medical advice regarding it?
- Have you looked into getting a rechargeable hand-warmer?
- Are you taking fish oil and/or flax seed oil? (Or some other
source of eicosapentaenoic acid?)
- Are you working up a sweat at least three times a week? I mean
breathing hard and actually breaking into (at least) a mild sweat?
I know you didn't write me for health advice, but perhaps the
long term answer to your issue is to solve your arthritis issue (if possible).
Warm regards,
-
Dr.
Bill
p.s. Doing ASL is generally considered therapeutic for arthritis because it promotes
blood circulation and
movement. You might want to check into the possibility of having your doctor "prescribe" your ASL
classes--thus enabling you to deduct the cost of your classes, books, and travel as medical expenses. Ask
your "tax advisor" about this.
Also see: Signing with physical limitations
Also see: Signing with a torn ligament
Also see: Signing and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome