Such a peculiar word….
From Latin ambi- ‘on both sides’ + dexter ‘right-handed’.
Interesting
Here is a post about what I am noticing about my time without being able to use my dominant hand.
Sunday, August 11th, 2019 I fell from a ladder while painting the crease between the ceiling and wall, and I broke my radius bone and fractured my ulna in my right wrist.
I am dominantly right handed… I am an artist, educator, mother and active participant in life. My right hand has defined me for many years. Now, almost 37 years old, I find myself forced to be left handed. Yes forced, as sitting still is not an option. Change is constant, and growth is my goal.
Ever since I was young, I practiced writing with both hands. I think the ability to control both sides of our brains and bodies is a skill everyone can practice through different levels of experiments. And one that everyone should practice for the growth of their brain.
Lately I have done a good amount of creating with my right hand, painting and doing henna. I feel like the universe is giving me the opportunity to grow and expand into my left side, which in turn balances me.
At first it was a lot to process… before I knew the specifics of the break. Thoughts and questions raced through my head, however I was never overcome by these thoughts. I held to the view that everything will turn out exactly how it was meant to.
I started having faith that all was in divine order and I am to learn from this things that will help me grow. That mindset has been vital in the healing process. The healing happens in allowing oneself to go through the experience and let go of the trauma one moment at a time. To see the experience as a growing experience… not being attached to how we feel about it, but processing those feelings as the arise immediately following the experience.
So one thing I want to do is document my experience. I dont see many people who have experienced unable to use their dominant hand.
It takes me longer to do things with only one hand working. Which means I have to slow down and give myself more time.
So as of today, the bone was perfectly realigned, and I do not need surgery. I go back in one week to get another xray and a permanent cast, which should be on for 6-8 weeks. This perfect timing for back to school, and setting up my classroom. I think we will have an even more student centered classroom this year, where the students get to decide how to set up our studio space!