20220822 : join the dots

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I have been asked by many earlier to start practicing writing with my left hand. I think the last time I tried it was a year ago. I realised writing was far, I couldn't even hold the pencil. That was the when I had stopped.

I was asked again a few days back - this time by my SLP therapist. I would have ignored it again, but I was given additional logic that it will help the balance of functioning of both sides of the brain and help recovery. The skeptic in me spoke to me pointing out that there was nothing wrong with my brain (both sides) and it was far below in the brain stem. I finally thought - what is there to lose, some more entertainment during the day sometime. So I ignored the skeptic.

The poor experience of the attempt last year was not completely forgotten. I decided to take baby steps before running.

I ordered a "join the dots" book. It was advertised as "for ages 3-4 years". I thought - sounds right. I am 3½ years into the stroke.

I got it yesterday, sure enough very simple diagrams filling 100 pages.

I gave it a go last evening. 2 pages.
If a teacher does a "blind tasting" of the finished product, the verdict would surely be the child needs help both physically and mentally and throw in a vision test for good measure.

I have known that stroke survivors struggle with control as it is very hard to get fine motor movements but it is a whole other thing to feel it. It's also very counter intuitive as I was right handed and have to use my left now.

I just cannot explain the frustration when you can draw a straight line inside the mind but it comes weird and wobbly out of the hand!

I can't even begin to imagine the frustration it might be causing with stroke survirors with forms of aphasia where ideas are formed well in the mind but can't make it out as speech and come out as words......

Anyway , 98 pages of entertainment still to go....

Comments

  1. Vinod KD22/8/22 12:51

    Writing might require fine motor control. After all we spent years learning how to do so. And yes, I realize the "connect the dots" book was a baby step in that direction.

    What if instead you were to "draw freehand" so to speak, though? Would that have the same effect on the brain or activating both sides maybe?

    ReplyDelete

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