Challenges of left-handedness

My first primary / grade school Teacher was really good about supporting my being a left-handed person - which I think helped to instill a "can-do left-handed" attitude.

My mirror-writing capabilities have always been strong - so I used to be asked to paint the school room Christmas window decorations with Merry Christmas etc. on the inside - to be appreciated by people from outside in the playground.

They asked me if I would like some left-handed craft scissors to use in class? - but I decided against it. - as left-handed scissors might not always be available to me in life - so I decided to learn using right-handed pairs of scissors. 

These days you can buy reasonably-priced left-handed scissors - so I treated myself to a pair for cutting dress-making fabric (otherwise, I just use right-handed scissors).

I do really love my left-handed Japanese-style hand weeder hoe (a bit like an onion hoe).  I saved up for mine (Burgon & Ball Left Handed Razor Hoe - circa £27 delivered) but it is kind to my back when working on my allotment to ensure the demise of annual-type weeds.

In the 1970's / 1980's if using DIY / garden power tools I used to find it frustrating / potentially dangerous if the lock-on button design was located under your left-hand - but these days those designs are less prevalent.

White goods for the kitchen can often be purchased with their doors in different hinge configurations to suit the task / person / appliance installation location.  I like fine motor control tasks like handling items in the fridge to be aided by a right-hinged door (some appliances have a conversion pack so you can choose which side the door opens).

Lots of left-handed products are available now.  I do appreciate those rulers, retractable tape measures, geometry sets and secateurs.

Choosing the most comfortable design of pen is a bugbear.  For general purpose, I find the Zebra Z Grip Gel Pens suit me - you can often find them for about £2.50 for a packet of 8.  If I use a fountain pen - I can find that a fine nib becomes more comfortable with use than a left-handed nib.

You can get left-handed tin / can openers.

For vegetable peelers / potato peelers - I find this type performs best in left-handed use:

www.amazon.co.uk/.../ref=mp_s_a_1_18_maf_1

I sharpen my general kitchen knives and general utility penknife with a whetstone - to better control the edge performance.

The only gadget which I find truly troublesome is a serrated bread knife - I have yet to find the perfect match.  If I buy a loaf I buy a thick-cut pre-sliced loaf.  If I make a loaf at home ...I delegate to a right-handed person - to please slice the loaf in preparation for consumption (else, please don't whinge about the asymmetric outcome from my sliced efforts!).

When sharing a kitchen with a right-hander, we implement the: "everybody move around the kitchen in a clockwise manner" rule.  That prevents potential clashes when moving to the sink carrying hot pans or a knife etc 

College chairs with a right-hinged lift up personal table are a nuisance - solved by using A5 stationery.

My fishing reels can be set up for left-handed use.

And so on.  You get the idea.  Either find the preferred tool option or adapt the environment.

28 percent of Autistic people are left-handed

compared to

10 percent of people in the general population are left-handed

.Markou, P., Ahtam, B. & Papadatou-Pastou, M. Elevated Levels of Atypical Handedness in Autism: Meta-Analyses. Neuropsychol Rev 27, 258–283 (2017).

I’m left handed. It hasn’t bothered me much to be honest - and I am a very creative person. I quite like the fact that it’s a bit different being left handed. :)