KimPressions

I used to be pretty good at calligraphy. (If I say so myself!) Handwriting has been a sore subject for me since I lost the use of my dominant hand. It was a big part of my identity. Today I gave it a shot.

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!” 

You’ve heard it a thousand times, but has it personally hit home? Well it was a grand slam for me.

At this moment in time, not forever mind you, I have very limited use of my right side. (It’s taking a little vacation.) But seriously, folks, I am not about to sit idly by. I have things to do! When you only have use of your port side (I looked it up) you must adapt and get creative to do everyday tasks. And I manage to find a little humor along the way. (Look out Jeff Foxworthy!)

You know you have right side paralysis when:

~ You notice something that needs to be done, but you attempt to get up and nothing happens.

~ You can’t do the “Touchdown” signal.

~ You try to dress yourself, and finally throw your hand up in frustration.

.~ You can’t retrieve things off the floor, because you’ll fall out of your wheelchair. (Been there, done that!)

~ Zippers are impossible

~ You can’t pull your pants off. (Not to mention on.)

~ You can’t wipe your derrière.

~ Doing your hair does not go well.

~ Post earrings are out.

~ Doing up a necklace on your chest takes eight hours.

~ Driving a car gets complicated. (Why is the gear shift and the gas pedal on that side?)

~ You can’t catch food falling off your fork.

~ Removing lids, forget about it. (I must say I can’t hold and screw off a lid with my left hand pretty well! If it’s loosened!)

~ You can’t place clothes on a hanger. (They don’t hold still!)

~ Speaking of laundry, try folding anything up to my perfectionist standards.

~ You can’t take pills without setting your cup down each time.

~ Doors, try opening a public door by yourself and then getting a wheelchair through! (Aw-naw, I don’t do doors!)

~ You want to wash your hand, but you only get the palm with your own hand.

~ You can’t carry a box (or anything with bulk or weight) and drive a wheelchair.

~ Reading a real paper book gives you left hand a cramp. (Oww!) And try turning the pages without putting the book down. Then pick it up again!

~ Make-up done with your left hand looks like an “IT” clown face, but worse.

~ You pull yourself up to grab something, but you can’t grab it because your hand is busy pulling you up!

~ You must stop driving your wheelchair to wave at someone.

~ You can’t eat and hold your plate. Use your lap? The plate slides off your lap.

~ No multi-tasking whatsoever!

Thanks for indulging me!

We won’t even start on my hearing loss challenges.

Being able to move with the winds of change is critical to survival in this crazy transforming world. Those who don’t deal well with change will be in for a world of hurt. I have learned to adapt, geez, I hunt and peck with my left hand everyday! (It helps to know the keyboard.) A person with two good hands and legs should be able to easily adapt to changes big and small. Everyday changes that seem so tough on the surface should be a walk in the park when you possess all your faculties, right? (Roll with it, baby!) I am trying.