-=> Kurt Weiske wrote to August Abolins <=-

 KW> He has a bizarre way of holding the pencil between his thumb, index and
 KW> ring finger that's very slow, and he's a poor note-taker because of it
 KW> (and claims that it's too late to change).

In 2008, when a car accident removed my right hand from my arm and it was 
literally bolted back on, I taught myself at the age of 36 how to write 
again.  He'll learn though I pray not through the same situation I did.

With the nerve damage from the accident and now diabetic neuropathy, it is 
difficult for me to hold a pen though I have a fountain pen that I can hold 
quite easily (a Lamy Safari).  It has a solid triangular-shaped area that I 
can hold securely in my finger and thumb and know I won't drop it.

 KW> I've tried to inform him that he'll be writing all his life and the
 KW> earlier he's comfortable with it, the better.

Exactly.

 KW> I'm left-handed, was taught to orient the paper the way a right-hander
 KW> does, so I hook my hand over the writing - which has resulted in a
 KW> lifetime of smeared writing and poor cursive.

My mother was forced to write right-handed in her schooling though she is 
left-handed also.  That eventually stopped as society learned that writing 
left-handed is also normal.

My mother also says that only left-handed people are in their right mind.

 KW> I never took typing classes in high school, so I hunt-and-peck, albeit
 KW> very quickly.

I took typing classes; first learned on an Olivetti electric typewriter then 
officially took classes using an IBM Selectric electric typewriter.  A Model 
M-style keyboard is my favorite.  At one time many decades ago, I could type 
about 130 WPM.  Now with damaged hands, I'm down to 50 to 80 WPM.

My stepfather is missing several fingers off both hands ... he hunts and 
pecks at about 55 WPM!

 KW> I'd hope the next generation would learn from my mistakes, but no...
 KW> 

Committing a mistake commits it to memory.

-- Sean


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