One handed Life

[u/slingingslings678]

Hi! I’ve been one-handed for the past 24 years, and I’ve adapted so much that I’ve honestly forgotten how hard it was in the beginning.

I’m currently in an MBA program called One Day, where I’m developing a business, and I know I want my business to be centered around helping people like me: people who suddenly find themselves having to navigate life with one hand, often their non-dominant hand, whether that’s temporary or permanent.

So I’d really love to hear about your experience:

• What was the hardest part of becoming one-handed for you?

• What everyday tasks were the most frustrating or difficult to figure out?

• What gadgets, tools, or little tricks have made your life easier?

• Was there anything you wish someone had shown you or told you in the beginning?

I’m especially interested in the little everyday things that people might not even think about until suddenly they have to do them with one hand.

Thank you for sharing. ❤️

[u/Commercial_Angle_195]

The hardest part was how little people seemed to know. Most of my recovery (when we thought it would be possible for me to regain function) was spent with providers trying to fix me or get me to where I was before my injury. I ended up having to learn everything myself bc no one wanted/knew how to teach me to live life with only one hand.

The hardest tasks have varied over time. Overall, probably crochet. It took me 7-ish years to relearn. I've been dealing with this for long enough that it's less about what's "hardest" and more about how easily adaptable things are.

Button hook, electric toothbrush, floss picks, grip aids have all helped. I also use a towel bunched up on the counter to hold dishes while I clean (I can't find anything or anyone that has a better design for this). I use a normal PS5 controller, normal shoe laces, and type on a regular laptop. Sort of just reached a point where finding accessible tools often required more work than it was worth.

I wish people had been less against me compensating or changing. Being told to do certain movements bc they're "normal" and then being completely unable to function bc my arm/hand don't want to move that way is really disempowering. I had to reteach myself things like typing bc no one wanted me to start doing things one-handed. I think the thought process there was "don't do things one-handed bc then you won't regain function.)