Disability to Ability – Part 3

     What can I say, my temporary disability is just that – temporary.

     Or so it might seem.

     My hand surgery was very successful. Thumb fully fixed, scar tissue not a problem. Better than even 3 or 4 years ago when I was a young 69 year old struggling with Cancer.

     But life has a way of hitting us with an unexpected path to travel.

     Ok, the path I have been forced to follow is off the wall big time.

     Now not life threatening but more like life altering. I have developed a condition that causes the ring finger and little finger to curl closed and not open to lay flat.

Called Dupuytren’s Syndrome.

     The joy of knowing that it could progress slowly, be treated, but not cured. Nothing new but potentially limiting the use of my left hand as I grow even older into my 80’s, 90’s or 100’s. Thinking long term is what I do.

     Seeing my hand doctor soon to understand our options. Wonderful?

     So for now I have different limits. Discomfort bordering on pain in those fingers. Using a cane is interesting. Power tools too. But doable.

     So his potential Disability offers Ability of another kind. This might be an extension of my normal disposition towards living. Make the best of every situation.

     So how to work with this? Work with my doctors, do what they suggest, physical therapy, and try new things. But mostly do not let it stop me from living my life.

     I can use either hand for tools and if I push my left hand I can still lay it flat on a table wil little discomfort, no pain.

     Have the hand doctor exam in two days and will know what’s up then.

ps; if you do some research on dupuytren’s you will see that it affects, maybe, some other body parts.