Hypno's "me, me, me, me, me," diary.....

[Deleted User]

Thought I would put this request in a separate email as it's a request for advice.

A friend has fallen and broken both wrists. Her first language is sign language. The fractures mean she is now unable to communicate. We're hoping that once the pain is under control she'll be able to type messages on a laptop, though we appreciate this will be slow.

The question is does anyone know how someone in a hard cast can hold a pen - there's rather a lot of plaster between thumb and finger so that gripping a pen doesn't look likely.

Any ideas anyone has any ideas or suggestions about how we can go on from here I'd be delighted to know

macgirl

Oh how awful wish I could help..... A friend from Uni signs for the deaf, but we're only in contact via Christmas cards, which is a shame, as I'm sure she'd know...

Might the Royal School for the Deaf be able to advise?

hypno06

When I've been in a cast I've been able to hold a pen between my fingers and write sort of.......ish.....but it will depend on how far up the fingers the cast goes as to how much "bend" in her fingers she can get.

I was also able to sign well enough to be understood.....not great, but ok. But again it depends on how far up the fingers the cast goes, as to how much you can bend to get the range of signs.

It's a toughie. I would def get in touch with the local Deaf Association to see if they can assist. Also, Social Services might have something available - would be worth an enquiry? Let me know how your friend gets on.

hypno06

Also, how is her lipreading, and speech? It could be that it is going to be more a case of everyone else around her making the effort to communicate, rather than putting the reliance on her, if that makes sense.

se999

Is she a member of a local deaf group, they might have someone who can lip read, it would be awful not to be able to communicate, then she'd have someone to talk to rather than just communicating essentials.

It might be an idea to think of something to poke at the letters on a keyboard rather than a pen and writing, it might be more legible.

Edit - On the lip reading suggestion, I'm assuming that her speech isn't audibly very clear with you saying her first language is sign language.

lucielle

My sister broke both her wrists just over a year ago. I went down to look after her. She souldn't put any pressure on as it was very painful.
L

hypno06

se999 wrote: »

Edit - On the lip reading suggestion, I'm assuming that her speech isn't audibly very clear with you saying her first language is sign language.

Not necessarily an issue - my sister is completely deaf and has very poor speech - but because she can form her words, even though they sound nothing like they should, with a bit of effort on my part (or indeed anyone elses) and a bit of concentration, I can understand her "spoken" word.....it is rather like talking to a foreign person when you don't speak their language, and they don't speak yours very well....not ideal but with effort you sort of work out what it is you want to say!

rtandon27

Deleted_User wrote: »

We're hoping that once the pain is under control she'll be able to type messages on a laptop, though we appreciate this will be slow.

Hiphouse - so sorry to hear about your friend - have you heard of a mouthstick? - It may help her to type on the laptop.

http://www.webaim.org/articles/motor/assistive.php#mouthstick

Not sure where to source one this side of the pond, perhaps the nurse at the local surgery could help?

RT

beanielou

hiphouse~cant suggest anything that hasent been suggested already but will be thinking of your friend.
Imagine breaking both wrists:eek::eek:

Lemon_Tree

Pania, bit slow on the thread but you know you can stop off here for a drink on your way past Ipswich.