Some New Trends

Yesterday I shared my latest jewelry find, the Bali Designs bracelets. I should specify that I wear these bracelets on my left wrist (not my residual limb side). -They are easy to don and to doff because of the hinged cuff style. They make other styles as well: clasped and bangles.
What I wanted to share with you today is another latest rage: jewelry for the prosthesis! Why not?! I've long observed that many users of the passive/cosmetic and myoelectric hands wear watches and bracelets on the prosthesis. It's a bit of a challenge for those of us who use body-powered to accomplish this without interfering with our control mechanisms. Until of late. Here are some easy tips:
To wear a bracelet, I've had two holes drilled into my prosthesis forearm ('body-piercings', if you will!) on the same side as my cable and distally near the wrist but just proximal to the wrist unit. I thread the bracelet through the holes so that it doesn't interfere with the control of my terminal device and it stays in place. Re-visit this blog and I will insert photos this week-end. I wear a black leather cord Pandora bracelet with beads pretty much all of the time.
To wear a watch or a cuff style bracelet (typically further up the forearm), I use the loop velcro on the underside of the piece of jewelry and the hook velcro on the prosthesis in the desired area. This stablizes the jewelry in place so it doesn't slide up and down my arm and the loop protects my carbon fibre from getting scratched. The velcro I prefer is the adhesive-backed black dots because they are camouflaged by my carbon fibre forearm. You can find these at a craft or notions store can be peeled off when not in use.
Ring-bling: Have you discovered elasticized rings? They are the rage among the younger set, can be found at any costume jewelry site and because they are typically inexpensive (unlike the bracelets) one need not fret if they get lost. -This style will definitely slide off easily once stretched.
There is a cool shop in Thorne's Market, Northampton that sells unique items. Among them are a wooden cuff bracelet that I love to wear on my prosthesis forearm and a ring that I admire. It's carved wood; I always check to see if the shop-owner has any large enough to fit on my Adept thumb... for special occasions, of course. I love the look of the wood... set against the modern sleekness of the carbon fibre, it is a nod to the days when the prosthesis was hand carved of wood! My, haven't we come a long way!!!
Again, please re-visit this blog soon... I will insert photos of these pieces this week-end.
And stay tuned... next entry I will show you my 'freckles'!

Eve's Addiction Ad

           

I notice that this company has advertised on my blog. Although I have not (YET!!) puchased from them, they do carry some jewelry that I like. -You might enjoy it as well. This particular line is called Bali Design and it is made in ... you guessed it; BALI! I particularly like the silver and gold cuffs. The design is such that it has an opening and a hinge. There are no clasps to fasten! HALLELUJAH!!
One merely opens the hinged area and slides the bracelet on the forearm. This is wonderful for those of us with one hand, or those who are experiencing decreased fine motor abilities. Check out their website for yourself! This particular line is referred to as a Vintage Style Sterling Silver Cuff. http://www.evesaddiction.com/

Who says you can't teach an (old dog) new tricks?!

I have now "arrived" as a full-fledged adult.... I have a smart phone!  Probably most of you are well-experienced with this technology. I however, seem to have always been a late bloomer. And besides, I am a New Englander and we are known to be... shall we say, thrifty? My previous phone is not that old and was working perfectly fine. I could not justify spending the $$$. But all of that changed with Mothers' Day. I received my DROID as a gift and the dawn of smart technology arose within me! I love the phone, am learning about  'apps' and am trying NOT to become addicted to the technology. But it woos... it draws me. There are games and access to my e-mail accounts, my phone contacts, internet research.... My husband is citing neglect (just kidding).
But let me tell you about the cool simple technology that I've acquired to complement my smart phone. It's called Fly Grip and it's a holder that folds flat when not in use; expands to support my fingers so that my thumb is free to fly across the keys and access the world... or at least the internet and the telephone. I don't risk dropping my phone.Check it out:
I like to use my index and middle fingers in the flygrip holders and my ring and little fingers to support the device. But you can use it however you feel most comfortable and beneficial. You can get more info at flygrip.com... VERY COOL!!!!! So, who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks???