[jillsy]

I was wondering if any of you carve with physical ailments? I've had arthritis, or something very much like it (I was only 20 when I started having the pain and the doctors said I was too young to give an actual diagnosis). At 36, it something I deal with...sometimes it's not bad, but when it rains....oooooo! Anyway, I think carving has been good for it (the pain is generally my shoulders, wrists, and fingers) That and carrying babies has definitely strengthened me. Has anyone else found carving to be actually good for them? The hardest part is knowing when to stop - when it really gets painful, but I want to keep going!

[Kenny_S]

Several of the carvers on this board suffer from Mental illness. Of coursee I ain't one of them.
Waiting HiHO!

[Kenny_S]

It is that "Dang Club" I tell you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Thomp]

Jilly,

i don't consider it a disability but 2 years ago i had a 4 way bypass, im a bigger feller 250lbs or so, and when i was healing the sternum (brestbone) never healed all the way, and 1/4th of it broke loose then fractured to pieces.

Due to my stuborness i won't let them get another chance to get me back on the operating table to remove the broken bones, as im told theres no way to reattach it so it grinds., never the less theres autheritus pain & from lifting 2 year old grandchildren or straining my arms. but i dont let it stop me. , i too have hand pain from autharitus, and when i carve i had to make certin concessions,

I make it a habbit to never use arm strength to carve with, even with a palm gouge, i press the wood through the cut with only hand strength , using a knife is a trick withoug getting some sholder action into it, but I use my thumb to pull the knife into the cut, I cut only small chips rice grain chips youll be supprised how much you can get done without tiring if you dont strain.

I did build a power strop from a small motor simular to a sewing machiene motor.. the wheel is made of whatever they call pressed paper 3/4" thick and 3 inches round, i use white or red buffing compound on it and keep it mounted on front of my carving station where i flick the switch rub on some rouge and hone anything in seconds, it surely makes it easier than using the hand hone,,

i have lots of problems with my hands cramping than autheritus, but i soak them in the hottest water i can stand till it goes cold, usualy that gets them back to working order quickly or 30 minuets..

you got to work around things or you wont get nothing done other than a long list of excuses.... mom use to say.

good luck
thomp

[Teri Embrey]

Hi Jillsy -

Heck, yeah, we carve with disabilities. And sometimes carving BECOMES the disability that keeps us doing other things we're supposed to be doing :-)

Seriously, though, I have degenerative arthritis along with diabetic neuralgia in my extremeties - so there are good and bad days, emotionally and physically.

I can't say carving has actually helped my physical pain, but it sure does help me forget it's there for awhile.

There's usually a way around just about any disability to keep on carving, I'd think.

Carve on,

Teri

[Ron Davidson]

I really don't consider myself disabled with being blind. I have dealt with it so long that it's more a pain in the *^%#@ than anything . But you learn to adapt. I also suffer from Ruematoid arthritis and if it wasn't for remicade every 6 weeks it would be hard to do carving. But like I said you learn to adapt and compensate. I try and look at it as a new challenge every day and every day is a good day!

[jillsy]

I guess "disability" wasn't the right word to use. As long as it's nice out, I sometimes even forget I have it! I gotta move to Arizona!

[Callynne]

Hey Jillsy, I just tried resending that PM that you didn't get, let me know!

As far as problems, when I started carving I had terrible problems with the joints below my thumbs. I thought for sure it was arthritis (since I already have that in my back) but the Doctors said it was tendinitis. I ended up taking two courses of theraphy and getting hand braces.

It worked, I rarely need the braces, usually just wear them during the night if I've got a flare up going on. I know it would help to do the exercises faithfully, I always intend too...but.....! You know how that goes! Deborah

Oh, by the way.....GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU TERI!!!!

[billwdcrvr1]

When I get under some stress..carving helps bring me back to earth and regain my sanity..just making chips helps me work out things that are working on me..as a minister told me once ..we all need something to pull us back to shore..carving is mine..whether I ever finish it or not..i still like to make chips..and work with a knife in hand..always have..another point,from what I understand is that arthiritis sets in when you STOP doing repetitive hand movements such as carving or typing..to the best thing to do is keep working on something that keeps your hands busy and your mind working and sharp..carving fits both needs here..

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

for Kenny...hummm some do have delusions however lol

for jillsy...if you move to arizona, you better bring some of that good wood with you ha ha

and for billwd....the only way I know to get rid of pressure, work things out etc, is prayer, going to church regularly, and a bible study doesn't hurt! reading a bit of the bible first helps too...but the Lord is always there waiting, willing to help if we just ask! The world going the way it is anymore, we need all the help we can get!! Remember John 3:16