Writing Splint

Over the next few weeks we will look at the technology available to enhance productivity. A simple microphone combined with voice to text software that allows me to type faster than my thoughts can keep up. Touch screens and styluses that can make using a smart phone or tablet much easier but also be the source of accidental actions when a clumsy finger inadvertently taps the wrong place on the screen. And a trackball that allows easy two-handed navigation of a cursor when even the twitch of an index finger to click a sensitive little button on a mouse is impossible.

Most common when you hear someone speak about a person's ability to write is to think about the topic of literacy. After a bad enough spinal cord injury, in the cervical region of the spine, the ability to write is most often affected by the betrayal of our digits, and not a deficiency in education.

I have my chicken scratch that I am still able to scribble out in a pinch with a writing implement woven under my index finger, over my middle finger and under my ring and middle finger. I find that hardly effective for anything more than a quick signature or jotting down a note. For any serious writing on paper I use the writing splint pictured above.

The plastic coated portion of the splint slides over the hand, behind the knuckles but in front of the thumb. The index finger rests on top of the end of the pen with additional support coming from the C-shaped contour wrapping around a portion of the finger. Writing with this instrument is most definitely better than without it but it does have its drawbacks. Movement of the writing implement is no longer made by the hand or fingers but moves back to the wrist, elbow and shoulder. This makes for reduced dexterity even after a time of practice, increased muscle fatigue, and poor posture which has long-term effects on body pain.

In addition to all of that there is the dependency on a and awkwardly shaped tool for something as important as writing. It's not convenient to carry with me. Thankfully, most of our writing has a technological advancement to it, be that for writing this post and most other medium to large writing tasks, texting or simple note taking. I have already looked at the adaptation I use for standard typing on a keyboard; a simple yellow pencil dipped in an industrial plastic coating.

Source: Occupational therapy product catalogue.

Plasti-Dip and Typing Pencil

Typing with curled, paralyzed fingers is no easy task without some aid. Some quads are able to straighten a finger out enough to type effectively but others are not. There are some commercially available devices designed to fit over the hand between the thumb and index finger and extend a shaft forward with which to type. As with so many things, this is another device to be dependent on and to have with you should the need to type extensively arise.

My solution has been a standard pencil woven below my index finger, over my middle finger, then under my ring finger, with the eraser toward the keyboard. As you can see by the seasoned pencil at the bottom of the photo, they show their wear and do not last forever, especially with each weaving between the fingers including holding the end with my teeth while doing so. However, it does not get more inexpensive to replace, and easy to find, than a standard pencil. I find that the grip of the eraser makes typing more fluid and causes me to slip off a key and type the wrong letter far less frequently.

I have been aware of a liquid plastic coating available for insulating wires, adding grip to the handle of tools or any other purpose a person could find for it. What I did not know is where it could be found any longer. A friend told me of his using this Plasti-Dip to coat the pencil at both ends to add grip, longevity and durability. Since I have started using it I have found it very helpful in making my typing pencils last much longer.

The major advantage of using something such as a pencil or pen to aid in typing is that they can be found virtually anywhere you need them. The top end of a pen may not be as ideal for typing but is still faster and easier on the shoulder than using the side of my thumb, as I do when no other solution is available.

The downside is that the plastic coating product is difficult to find and somewhat expensive, especially considering that when not resealed properly the whole can will harden and be rendered useless. Just make sure the can is resealed properly and this should not be a problem. It is nice that it is available in red, black, white, yellow and green. I learned my lesson when I chose black (specifically for this photograph because I thought it would look the best) not thinking that the black tip does not have enough contrast against my black keyboard which has made it more difficult to type effectively. I have become accustomed to it, though.

Source: Home Hardware on Central Avenue North, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Amazon.com and eBay.