Card season is upon us more than ever. That first snowfall outside, as seen in the photo above, happened way too early this year and last year but there is little a person can do except to find favorite ways to be entertained indoors. Any game with cards is a popular one.
There are commercially made cardholders available on the market but I have found that many of them require as much dexterity as holding cards does. Such things as spring-loaded clips or awkward angles where cards sit in fan-shaped slots, both of which are no easier than simply holding the cards with paralyzed fingers.
The cardholder you see on the table was the result of my dad seeing his son struggle with the cards, telling everyone to "hold on, a minute," finding a scrap of lumber, cranking the tablesaw blade to a 45°, running a cut half-deep through it and then slicing the scrap of lumber into two equal pieces. The result was two identical cardholders that I use for any game that requires holding more than about four cards. This cardholder is long enough for at least 13 cards. Occasionally, for games that use nonstandard decks of cards, I wouldn't mind if it were a little bit longer. Usually in those cases cards can be grouped together, though. Length is something to consider if you are having one made for yourself.
Having it sitting on the table allows me to use two hands to pick up and arrange cards and it is easily tipped on its face to conceal my hand, should I need to leave the table for a minute.
This is not a tool exclusive to a quadriplegic. A person with carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, tremors or any other condition affecting dexterity would benefit from something like this and be able to maintain a fluid pace of gameplay.
Source: Custom made. Commercially made devices available at some medical supply stores, through an occupational therapist or online.
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