On both my office and home computer, I “click” the mouse via a small adaptive switch that rests under my right thumb. The switch registers small muscle movements and I have decent movement in my thumb, so it’s an effective solution. But that only gives me access to the left mouse button. If I want to get my game on or perform other tasks that require the right mouse button, then another switch is required. In the past, the second switch would usually be tucked inside my left hand. My left hand has less strength than my right and finding the sweet spot for activating this second switch has always been a chore. And recently, my left hand has gotten even more uncooperative. I’m not sure if it’s further muscle atrophy or subconscious laziness, but generating movement in my left hand is more difficult now than it once was. That’s left me searching for alternate muscles to activate the switch.
I was explaining the situation to one of my nurses, who reminded me that I can move my ears. I hadn’t thought of this. Wiggling my ears was always good for amusing little kids and scoring “cute” points with the occasional girl, but it didn’t seem to have much practical utility beyond that. After a little experimentation, we managed to position the switch just above my left ear, where it was held in place by the stem of my glasses. It works pretty well and is more comfortable than the previous set-up. And the irony of using one disability (my astigmatism), combined with a freak talent, to compensate for another disability is cosmically funny.
This should tide me over until I can get that neural implant.
