Living in a world designed for two working arms and hands is a challenge, I’ve found the odd way to live with them (for now) so thought I’d jot them down in case they help anyone in the future.

Showering, I use a rubber knobbly device from manscaped that feels nice and has a good little grip handle I lay it flat and squirt body wash onto it. Initially I had a wall mounted pump to do this.

Toothpaste, I had a toothpaste dispenser like an animal head you poked the brush head in and afterwards it had a little bit of toothpaste on.

Deodorant, I stoped using spray on after my stroke as my surgical sites were tender, so moved to roll on which became my norm. M good side I just “monkey” it bending my arm under, the affected arm I use my hand to grab the sink then lean backwards to open the arm up and roll it with my good arm.

Dressing: most OTs will teach this and ask them, I learnt in the summmer due to my stroke timing how to wear shorts and T-shirts but struggled come October. They did a quick home session to try and it was doable,In theory, I still much prefer rich to help me.

Coats

If I lay it over my banister I can “drop” my affected arm in then pull the rest around with my good arm it’s not quick or smooth but it works.

Shoes

Initially I wore lightweight trainers as they were light to learn walking in, I then moved up to heavier ones, I tried Velcro but felt like a child so got elastic bungee cord laces from Amazon, one tug and a little clip is easy to manipulate with one hand.

Shoe horns are a great help especially in boots, I love my tombos and quickly realised a shoe horn was required.

“Slip ons” beware the tv advert that shows someone marginally near a shoe and it appearing on their trotters, while certainly easier they still require a bit of effort and skill to learn.

Eating

I use a knork (a fork with a kind of blade) to cut through most things. I was told to try a rocker knife but found it to be useless