I'm a lefty. My cp has really affected my right hand. Now, I find that I cannot hold a full plate of food with my right hand, I can't really grasp a cup, or soda can. I feel that when I hold a plate let's say, I see that I get the shakes like my hand is not strong enough to hold it. Plus I cannot position my right palm in a ball-like position. It only takes that position when I hold a ball. For instance, I cannot accept "change" with my right hand b/c I cannot easily make that "cup or ball-like" position to contain the change.

Anyone know of exercises that I can do? I want to make my right hand strong enough to hold a plate etc and loose enough to be able to gracefully pick up a can or accept change. I think I'm more interested in strengthening from rist down to the fingers.
Thanks.

:wave:

Have you ever gone to OT? I think when I was younger they gave me this clay stuff, kinda like silly putty but not as soft, and they told me to squeeze it...I've also used those balloon-like things with sand in them (dunno if you know what I mean, LOL). But getting something like that and squeezing it should help strengthen the muscles.

You could start doing all kinds of little things with your right hand, like pressing buttons, pulling/pushing doors, flushing the toilet etc. Writing is good exercise for fine motorics. BTW I've noticed that if I use the computer mouse with my right (hemiplegic) hand it's much easier with the left-hand settings than with the right-hand settings.

Why don't you go for therapy? And if you don't have the time for therapy, try to use your hand little by little