The end...? (update 2 10/8)

[Dragon616]

Hey all, haven't posted in a bit, and theres a good reason for that. As I've said before, I was in a car accident that left many internal injuries, and have go through multiple surgeries and procedures to repair everything. However my last visit didn't turn out so well... There was a complication with my surgery, causing my entire right arm from the shoulder down to go nerve dead... They don't know if its permanent, but I can't move it and it won't respond to reflex tests... So I don't know what to do, my right arm was the key to my life. I'm, or I was, right handed and going to art school, and I can't draw with my left. My career is shot, I can't game, I can't even play wow right anymore(Unless I can play one handed somehow?)... I'm caught between trying to get on with my life armless and giving in to this crushing depression knowing that my dreams are shattered. I know its kind of odd to ask about this kinda stuff here, but considering you guys have always been supportive to members of the community, I'd like to know what you guys think I should do?

On a lighter note at least I can type pretty well one handed, thats something right?

[Dewclaw]

That's tough, but don't give up. You'd be surprised at how much you can accomplish with one hand, even drawing and gaming. It will takes lots of work and practice practice practice, but eventually, it'll come more and more easily. And exercise the right arm, using your left to manipulate it. This will help keep it's tone and perhaps aid in recovery.

As far as what to do in the meantime, explore and find out what other sorts of things interest you. You can lead a rich and full life. Discover, learn, and succeed.

[Mockingbird]

Wow, that's some extremely bad luck and you have my sympathies.

I've known a few people who lost the use of their main hand (through stroke or accident, mainly) and all of them said "I can't write/draw/drive with my left" but all of them now do those things.

I realise right now you must give it a go, see the results and hate it, but over time it will become just as good as your old "dominant" arm ever was. (In some cases, better, because the task of re-learning to do something gives you new insight into it). I'm not suggesting it's all wine and roses, but with perseverence you WILL be able to do thoe things you love again.

WRT playing WoW and other games, that's also a kicker, but a good left-handed multibutton mouse would be a big step forward, and you've shown you can still type (I mean that mainly for the chatting, rather than hotkey-gaming). If that doesn't work for you, then a peripheral like the Nostromo Speedpad (I'm sure there are updated versions, this is just one brand I remember from years past) can be a big help, putting extra controls and macros at your fingertips. Heck, if you're willing to try something a bit odd, you can get a headband thing that allows control of some game functions by thinking about them (and yes, it does actually work - it detects a combination of microscopic muscles movements and brainwaves, you can map something like 6 to 10 commands to it. It has a learning curve (a totally new peripheral) but could help you feel more connected to things).

Your hospital may also be able to advise you on what they can do - they may have access to much more specialised peripherals to assist your computer use or excercises to help with fine motor control in your left hand.

Keep positive and keep coming back here (a more positive and pleasant bunch of folks it'd be hard to find!)

Edit:
left-hand pads include
Belkin Nostromo n50 (later replaced by n52 and n52te) - from what I read the n52 is considered the 'best' one as the n52te lost some nice functions in the software.
Logitech G13 Seems to get overwhelmingly positive reviews.
Saitek Cyborg Command Unit - stupid name, but I read at least one review which mentioned using the joystick to look around in wow. I THINK it originally came out as a right-hand only thing, but it's likely to be available both ways now - some goolging would help (I'm limited what I can lookup at work).

[Moonlost]

I hope this turns out not to be a permanent thing. Know that our hopes and prayers are with you as you get though this.

I think Mockingbird summed up what I wanted to say well enough. Should your right arm be permanetly paralysed, it won't be the end of your hopes and dreams. It'll be an adjustment period to be sure, but you can over come it. The Human brain is pretty remarkable in that, given enough time, it can adapt to any shortcomings in life.

On the art side of things, well, This guys ums it up pretty well.
Art is more than just being able to draw really well. It's about passion and dedication to your craft. As much of a setback as this is, if you're dedicated enough to becoming an artist then you can soar!

[Worba]

Hey all, haven't posted in a bit, and theres a good reason for that. As I've said before, I was in a car accident that left many internal injuries, and have go through multiple surgeries and procedures to repair everything. However my last visit didn't turn out so well... There was a complication with my surgery, causing my entire right arm from the shoulder down to go nerve dead... They don't know if its permanent, but I can't move it and it won't respond to reflex tests... So I don't know what to do, my right arm was the key to my life. I'm, or I was, right handed and going to art school, and I can't draw with my left. My career is shot, I can't game, I can't even play wow right anymore(Unless I can play one handed somehow?)... I'm caught between trying to get on with my life armless and giving in to this crushing depression knowing that my dreams are shattered. I know its kind of odd to ask about this kinda stuff here, but considering you guys have always been supportive to members of the community, I'd like to know what you guys think I should do?

On a lighter note at least I can type pretty well one handed, thats something right?

That is terrible, and I'm deeply sorry to hear of what you have been going through.

Hopefully you will regain at least some functionality in your arm, but if not, you need to learn how to do things with your other arm. I hope you don't need to go that route but if there is no other option, then that is what you will have to do - with enough hard work and determination, it can be done.

You owe it to yourself to do what you love, and also you would be taking your art away from everyone who would otherwise get to see and enjoy it.

Don't give up man.

[erwil]

I agree with the lot here, don't give up!
And what Mocking said, is from my experience very true.
I've been told, that practicing the use of your other arm helps you give more insight and balance with say, perspectives and most importantly symmetry, to your art. Your body is usually dominant on one side but, if you practice hard, you can learn to use the other one as well, and in some cases even better than in the past.
I don't know your views of acupuncture, but it has helped me tons in the past (also, those wee stressball things are also very useful). :3
It's going to be a hard journey back to way things were, but if you stick to it, i'm sure you can get through! o/

[Jangalian]

Here's something else to mull over....I'm an artist too, and for the longest time, I believed that my art was in my drawing hand, like my bones and tendons knew the way. But I broke my right arm at a time in my life when I was going to art college (the college itself was terrible for me, but that's another story) and I was devastated.

However, I also had a life drawing teacher named Flavia, and she showed me how to draw with my left hand for the span that my right was in a cast. Sure, I was clumsy, and my fingers weren't that nimble, but she helped me to realize that the art is in your heart and soul, not your hands. If you lose your right hand, draw with your left. If you lose both, draw with your feet. If you have no feet, hold a brush in your mouth.

When the goddess of the arts loves you, she'll stay with you and never leave your side. *hugs tight* We also got your back, mate.

Also...get some of those squishy things that go on pencils to help you grip them better, and get a stress ball to help build the strength in your left hand. Don't give up dude. <3

[Teigan]

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[Makoes]

I've learned over time to be ambitextrius. Using both hands almost equally. To start is a bit frusterating because its like re-learning how to write/draw all over again, but keep at it and you can get as good with your left hand as you were with your right.
As for gaming, well, I have a 6mnth old baby and often play wow one handed, often my left hand since my main abilities are on the 3-5 button, movements can be made with the WADQE etc buttons, and the jump button is right by the thumb.
Though, a left handed mouse sounds so much easier with keybindings lol.

Many people who break arms, learn how to use thier other arm for everything. Especially when it's thier main arm they break. (again I've had experience with this one) I was even part of a bicycle drill team when that occured and learned really fast to ride one-handed (not easy over gravel...lol)

It is very possible that the nerve damage is not permanent. It may return over time, Dont give up!
My Nana was in a sever carcrash many years ago that shattered her legs, she was told she'd never walk again. Now she takes her dog for walks at hours at a time. she kept trying to move, and finally, did.

Best of wishes to you

[Bulletdance]

No getting around it that sucks, but hang in there! I'm not one to believe in fate,but hard times can often present opportunities we might otherwise have missed. If you love art there are still thing you can do. Some of the computer programs like the adobe ones u can do one handed. Also teaching art. Keep trying. I know what its like when the shit hits the fan. (lost half a lung while in school and my brother to suicide) Its going to be dirty for along while,but eventually everything becomes much clearer and you'll be glad you stuck it out.

[Dragon616]

Thanks for all the support and suggestions guys, I'll be in and out of the hospital over the next few days, but at I have something to try and keep my hopes up with!

[Azunara]

Hang in there, and we'll always be here to cheer you up.

[Gungnir]

Hang in there Dragon, we'll be here for you! Never give up.

What one hand used to do, the other also can do with practice. It will be awkward at first and but you will get better over time.

[Mockingbird]

I don't know if it's something that would be fun for you or whether it'd be a bit too close to home, so to speak, but why not start an off-hand drawing thread in the offtopic forum?

Challenge folks to draw something with their non-dominant hand and scan it in, and we can see how we improve over time

[erwil]

Hehe, that sounds like a great idea.

[Mania]

We're here for you. If you need anything - even if it's something like help getting one of those special mice or something - let us know. We can take up a collection.

We're just glad that you're alive and here to chat with us.

[zedxrgal]

Being the accident prone child I was and a daring sort needless to say I've had three broken arms, two of which were on my left which is the hand I've written with since I was a wee kid. Believe me it's possible to relearn to do everything with your opposite hand. I even went swimming etc, without the use of my left hand at all for 10 weeks. That's really tough on a kid in the summer time. I have also cut my left hand open and had a bunch of stitches put in and this was a key mobility point and good ol righty was right there to lend a hand (pun intended) and do all the work.
Practice makes perfect! It will take a while for your brain to rewire (so to speak) and get accustomed to using your left had but speaking from personal experience from a gal heavily into art also you can do it. Now, I'm fully ambidextrous and still practice using my right hand and most would never know it's not a dominant hand. Time and patience my dear. Stay strong, stay focussed.

Another thing that helps is to think the use of your right hand. Allow your brain to still send those signals. Feel the good vibes about it. And yes exercise the right arm /hand as often as you possible can. Even hold a pencil or pen for 10 minutes is giving it a workout even with assistance.

Also be your own patient advocate!! I cannot stress this enough to my patients and friends. If the physician(s) you're working with are not achieving with you the results you hope to achieve or providing you with what you need then request a second opinion or see someone else. The best minds in medicine are out there but it may not be the physician you're speaking with. This is not said to be offensive to anyone by the way. Don't rule out seeing a orthopedics physician or a neurologist if you're not already.

I wish I could do more but I hope all this helps. We're here for you. If you need anything please don't hesitate to ask.

[Dragon616]

Getting feeling back in my arm, with careful exercise and some medicine I should have full feeling back within a week or two. Thanks for again for everyone keeping my confidence up and letting me know you guys care. Don't think I woulda stayed sane otherwise. >.< On the bright side, this time away have given me some time to think about things, have a bunch of things I want to change and do, time to get back in gear!

[Gumballs]

Yay! That is good news! I'm glad that things are looking up for you <3

[Loethlin]

That's great news!
To be quite honest, I mentally BSODed when I read your original post, It was so awful and I was very much scared, so I just can't imagine how it must've been for you.
Now that you say you're getting feeling back, I'm so relieved, and very happy for you.
To quote Cmdr. Peter Quincy Taggart (from Galaxy Quest): Never give up, never surrender!