How to cook & keep house with one arm?!

exlibris

Could you spend 'at home' time with you arm in a sling to practice? I suspect that it will be the very small things (like the bra already mentioned) which will throw you.

If you do have a dressing problem, could you ask a classmate to help. Remember to get them to undo what they did before you go home!

TOBRUK

I had an accident about 14 years ago and as a result lost the use of my right arm - I am left handed! Anyway, it was a struggle at first and have learnt to manage and do everything one handed - I live on my own. At first it was frustrating trying to do things, but with a lot of patience and everything I do takes longer I manage.

When dressing I do up my bra and step into it! I make sure that shoes I buy do not have laces. With jeans and trousers you will get the knack of zipping and doing and undoing the button. Ironing takes ages but I manage, and doing the bed and changing duvet is exhausting!

In the kitchen - I always look out for gadgets like one handed tin opener etc. You get used to it and a lot of it is balance: when I peel for example vegetables, say carrots, I balance the carrot with my thumb and use the peeler and have found if you have a chopping board with a handle (hole at top) I place the carrot on that and peel, turn, peel and turn until I have gone round the whole carrot. Then I chop - sometimes a piece will fly off! Things like onions place in a chopper.

I even bake cakes, tarts - making pastry, rolling out one handed it just needs confidence and a knack. I even make my own bread (not a bread machine) it can get a bit messy sometimes! Putting things into an oven like a casserole etc you have to find a balance and obviously not have things too heavy.

Good luck anyway and don't get too frustrated!

Snow_Angel

Thank you all so much. it is quite inspiring to read the stories from so many people who now have this problem long-term. As a physio student when I graduate I will be working with individuals who have had strokes, children with hemiplegia etc so from both a personal and professional point of view this is all very useful information!
Since I realised I would have to have an operation to fix my arm I have tried to look on the positive side 1) that it will now be fixed and my shoulder will stop 'popping out' when I do things and 2) it will make me much more empathetic towards my patients. Maybe all health care and medical students should spend 1 day with a sling on, or in a wheelchair, or wearing a blindfold....

Thank you all so much and rls1973 - that is a brilliant website and I wish I had it when I studied paediatrics earlier this year :rolleyes:

nearlyrich

I was thinking some more about this, the Occupational Therapists attached to your GP will possibly be able to lend you some gadgets and gizmos to help you in your temporary one-handedness, it might be worth a call.

Snow_Angel

nearlyrich wrote:

I was thinking some more about this, the Occupational Therapists attached to your GP will possibly be able to lend you some gadgets and gizmos to help you in your temporary one-handedness, it might be worth a call.

I'll ask. I was unsure if they'd help me out as it's only temporary. I guess the physio will ask me about home circumstances when they come to see me.....or at least they will if they're doing their job properly

nearlyrich

Snow_Angel wrote:

I'll ask. I was unsure if they'd help me out as it's only temporary. I guess the physio will ask me about home circumstances when they come to see me.....or at least they will if they're doing their job properly

I have become a bit of an expert on this kind of thing, :rolleyes: they can lend equipment temporarily, if they have anything suitable (dressing aids etc) as can the local Red Cross organisation. Sometimes you have to ask for the help you need it doesn't always come as standard LOL;)

A tip for you google disability aids and see whats available, we have a local shop selling this kind of thing and they have a catalogue, if you have a similar company in your area it's an interesting read. I took my mum over a few weeks ago and had a look at some of the aids, the OT then ordered them for her.

MrsCrafty

unusual request I know.

crystaltipps

I watched a 'Come Dine With Me' on More4 yesterday evening - the winner only had one arm. She looked well practiced with it though! Sorry it isn't too practical an answer. Perhaps see if it is on 4OD online and grab her recipes?

Any

Stir fry? I can imagine most things actually...
I cannot think of anything, apart from skinning fish etc that you need two arms for... Anything that you just add ingrediences and stir..

shellsuit

Something frozen that can be cooked on a tray in the oven? (fish, chips, pie etc)

Stir fry, throw everything in the wok/pan.

Jacket spuds in the oven or microwave.

Sausage, bacon, eggs, cooked in a frying pan. Sausage, bacon, chicken breast, steak etc cooked on a George Foreman?

I guess there are heaps of things, but it depends on what they like.