For the past many (8) years, I’ve been trudging through the taxing, draining & sorrowful trial of regaining the basic abilities of my right (dominant) hand. Because the left side of my brain struck the light pole (unintentionally of course! It was propelled to do so by a car crash), which induced my severe TBI, the entire right side of my body, initially, was numb. (The opposite side of the body, to where the brain was struck, sustains the most nerve damage.)
My right hand, an amalgamation of many tiny muscles (30 in each hand), was among the last of my appendages to regain mobility. Little steps have progressed from there: Holding a pencil wasn’t at all possible for the first many years. I’d drop it (or fling it in reality!) My right hand flew round, dropping anything I attempted to hold, as if in protestation, anytime I tried to direct it with my brain.
I have found that the lengthy timeline for reclaiming my hand-writing, as was proposed to me by my doctors, to be undoubtedly true. I’m overjoyed that I haven’t let this pleasure inducing (in the past and will eventually be again!) activity of mine go, as a result of the ample hardship it’s offered me for the last 8 years. Again, I didn’t stay committed alone. My mom (an English teacher) nudged me along when need be.
For the first many years, I was battling ataxia (random muscle spasms). Now, my fingers no longer twitch haphazardly, but they’re still in need of consistent messages from my brain. Those messages weren’t at all transmitted previously, and still aren’t present largely enough. Steps though…
Handwriting necessitates redundant & abundant practice. I cannot hand write for fun presently. Just Aaaaaaaa Bbbbbbb…And only now that I’ve begun to reclaim my basic motor skills (Ex: holding a pencil ((I’m just now beginning to be able to write with a normal size pencil, instead of an oversized, therapeutic one))) am I able to even do that. I can now foresee more advanced future achievements = Words?!
My handwriting is naturally extra swirly & decorative. Handwriting is the visual aspect of my art, after-all. This style is solely for my own pleasure, as the written work I share with audiences is always typed. Written compositions of mine = journals, reminders to myself & written notes or cards to loved ones, expressing my adoration.
I’m greatly looking forward to my future hand written compositions and am once again confident that they’ll come to pass.