I was using a wrist strap to help me use my left hand. As it made my wrist straight, I couldn't do much with it on, too bulky.
I feel foolish now. I got myself referred to an Orthotics Centre. I explained what I can't use my left hand for, and we agreed to try a supportive glove. They are made to measure, and probably cost in the hundreds, but the lady refused to tell me how much.
it arrived after 6 weeks. Initially it was extremely hard to get on, the fingers of my left hand are not under my control. At first, my husband had to help me both put it on, and to take it off. It wasn't to be worn overnight. This did get a little easier and I learned how to take it off; and how to then turn it the right way out. I did need to use my teeth though, perhaps not the best way to look after it.
When on, the 3 fingers of my left hand, which normally hang down to the floor, didn't drop so far. Unfortunately, the lack of a firm wrist support, meant it didn't help me much at all. I am back to using my wrist support when eating. It allows me to use the fork in my left hand. With the glove, I could only used my right hand to cut food and put it in my mouth.
The one thing it did help, was washing up. With a rubber glove on top, I was less concerned about dropping things. Next, I will try without orthotic glove off, and rubber glove on. I'm really not sure which helped most!
As someone with mild symptoms, I feel quite guilty asking for this glove, when it gives me so little help.
The lesson I've learned? Ask more questions, explain better what I need. Perhaps, if I'd shown the specialist how I needed help, how much my wrist is used, perhaps they would have offered something else, or nothing, if the wrist support was as much as they could offer.
I am owning up to my error, will I still feel guilty? Probably.
I feel foolish now. I got myself referred to an Orthotics Centre. I explained what I can't use my left hand for, and we agreed to try a supportive glove. They are made to measure, and probably cost in the hundreds, but the lady refused to tell me how much.
it arrived after 6 weeks. Initially it was extremely hard to get on, the fingers of my left hand are not under my control. At first, my husband had to help me both put it on, and to take it off. It wasn't to be worn overnight. This did get a little easier and I learned how to take it off; and how to then turn it the right way out. I did need to use my teeth though, perhaps not the best way to look after it.
When on, the 3 fingers of my left hand, which normally hang down to the floor, didn't drop so far. Unfortunately, the lack of a firm wrist support, meant it didn't help me much at all. I am back to using my wrist support when eating. It allows me to use the fork in my left hand. With the glove, I could only used my right hand to cut food and put it in my mouth.
The one thing it did help, was washing up. With a rubber glove on top, I was less concerned about dropping things. Next, I will try without orthotic glove off, and rubber glove on. I'm really not sure which helped most!
As someone with mild symptoms, I feel quite guilty asking for this glove, when it gives me so little help.
The lesson I've learned? Ask more questions, explain better what I need. Perhaps, if I'd shown the specialist how I needed help, how much my wrist is used, perhaps they would have offered something else, or nothing, if the wrist support was as much as they could offer.
I am owning up to my error, will I still feel guilty? Probably.
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