Going low-tech: the “Stress Owl”

stress owl

So, there’s this bird on my keyboard table. I don’t know why, but he looks like he’s sulking — a sort of fuzzy two-year-old who’d stomp his talons if he could. While he’s busy pouting, I’ll introduce you. His name is Ulk, and he is also the inspiration for the stupid “Library Owl” story. Ulk is short for ulchabhán, which is Irish for “owl,” the word itself a kenning — “white beard.” Ulk doesn’t have any beard, and besides he’s yellow — short and squat and squishy. But I do like kennings, and after all he is an owl. Stuffed, besides, which means I can call him any silly thing I want.

What’s he doing on my keyboard table (or an AT blog, come to think of it)? Grip strengthening, primarily. Somehow I like squashing something better if it makes me laugh in the process. Beats Silly Putty. (I have to say, I never thought that would be a medical implement. But they have Wii therapy now too, so I’m not that surprised.) Definitely beats your average stress ball, for which I don’t have the coordination. So… meet the Stress Owl.

Other useful low-tech devices for getting around manual tasks, not necessarily in order:

1. Your own teeth. Very versatile.
2. Other humans.
3. Typing sticks. Not necessarily the same as mouthsticks, though they can be. Fatiguing and occasionally crampy for extended typing, but useful in stints or with word completion/shorthand.
4. Book holders.
5. Utensil cuffs.
6. Dressing sticks, zipper pulls and buttonhooks.
7. Bottle and jar openers.
8. Skechers lace-less sneakers.
9. Circulation gloves, with or without the fingertips.
10. Your own Stress Owl (or bunny, or porcupine, or Frankenstein).

I’ll modify as I think of more. Also, www.abledata.com has an extensive database.