Ambi D Useful

In times previous, schools tried to change left-handed children into right-handers. It didn't work and certainly confused the poor youngsters who suffered under this kind of treatment. While it was meant to do no harm but used, they thought, to help the children cope in a right-handed world, surprisingly it did just that. I know individuals who can use either hand or arm to bat a ball, deal with a tennis racquet or badminton one, to swing a golf club, or among other things, to sew a seam. Those of us who are right-handed don't have to think about it much. Scissors, bats, golf clubs and a host of other tools are made for right-handed use. If you don't believe me, pick up a pair of scissors and try to cut some paper with your "other" hand. See? It can be done, but your "other" hand has to get the technique down first. The children whose left hands were converted to right, may be those adults you know who when driving and finding a locale, are told constantly :"No, it's the other right". There is  evident confusion. But the same children learned that there are many common tasks they can accomplish using either hand and sometimes both.  There are also those of us, as I am currently, victims of injury situations called muscle challenged, rotator cuff or shoulder spasms  and because of the pain, are forced to become ambidextrous. We don't want to, but it's easier than not being easily able to reach the honey jar on the shelf or the back container in the fridge or stir up the pancakes  without nasty pain. I have learned to use my left hand to either assist or to carry out tasks usually done with the right. I can't say that I do a perfect job of it but I do try and as awkward as it feels, it works and I know now, it can be done.  It's amazing how adaptable we can be if only we try. Granted, it isn't comfortable to learn to use both hands, but it's first, the mind that needs to be changed, not just the handedness movements. When you think of all the people who have had to learn how to walk again after an accident or use a limb prosthetic or after a stroke, to regain use of limbs or digits, we learn that it is not impossible to become both handed or ambidextrous. Again, convincing your mind that you can do it, is the first step. Attitude changing is a skill that's useful in many ways. Once you find you can change your attitude easily, there is little that you cannot deal with. I've learned how to iron, mix batter, hammer, use a screwdriver and handle cooking tools with my "other" hand. At times, I am so accustomed to it, that I kind of forget and use whatever hand happens to get there first. We are born with two hands for a reason.