John Rodgers on fri 12 dec 03
Andrew, just go for it.
Who knows how it will go until you give it a try. You may wind up making
some of the worlds most important and sought after pots. Your Cerebral
Palsey may well prove to be a gift where pottery is concerned.
I had a friend who had muscular distrophy. She began painting ceramics,
and her plates were beautiful, with unique designs, bold strokes and
bright colors, They became serious collectors items, and brought high
prices.
So go for it!!!!
John Rodgers
Chelsea, AL
Andrew Lubow wrote:
>I have a mild case of Cerebral Palsey which gives me a tremor in both my hands. It's not profoundly violent but enough to affect my fine motor control. Up to now I've mainly hand built but I'd like to learn how to throw. Any advice appreciated.
>
>Andy Lubow
>"Live each day like it was going to be your last. Someday you'll be right" Benny Hill
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
>
Andrew Lubow on fri 12 dec 03
I have a mild case of Cerebral Palsey which gives me a tremor in both my =
hands. It's not profoundly violent but enough to affect my fine motor =
control. Up to now I've mainly hand built but I'd like to learn how to =
throw. Any advice appreciated.=20
Andy Lubow
"Live each day like it was going to be your last. Someday you'll be =
right" Benny Hill
Diane Uranowski on sat 13 dec 03
Dear Andrew:
I'm new to this list server, and I am a Certified Occupational Therapy
Assistant (2 yr Associates Degree), otherwise known as a "COTA". I URGE YOU
to speak to your Dr. and get a referral to an Occupational Therapist (OT, 4
year degree). By law, I couldn't really make any recommendations without the
supervision of an OT.
I imagine you've probably had Occupational Therapy Before -- If not, FYI,
the OT can do an evaluation of how your are sitting and may have some
suggestions to help you with the hand tremors -- it would be difficult to
recommend anything without the OT doing an Eval. The OT doesn't have to know how
to throw clay to help you...they would just need to observe you throwing clay
and could make recommendations for you on your body mechanics, energy
conservation, stratageis for managing any spasticity you might have, and who knows?
depending on what they think of the tremors maybe a splint of some sort would
help to position your hands (a splint can be fabricated from plastics and would
be very durable), or they might recommend a light wrist weight to stabelize
but not fatigue your hands.
Again, I urge you to give your Dr. call, and they could probably have
someone come to do home health. Your issues with Fine Motor Control might be
covered under your health insurance if they impede things you need to do in
your home to stay independent. an OT might give you therapy for the Fine motor
control addressing those issues, which would then give you enough control to
throw clay.
or You might have to pay out of pocket, but it would be well worth it. Good
luck in your endeavor!
Diane U
Charles Moore on sat 13 dec 03
Hello, Andy,
Most potters who throw sitting (as opposed to standing) use their thighs as
braces for their forearms while centering. I think you might try using your
thighs--or your rib cage--to steady your hands through much of the throwing
process.
A lot of wheel potters have to find ways around the more traditional methods
because of back problems, arthritis, etc. Please keep experimenting.
Charles Moore
Sacramento
----- Original Message -----
From: "Andrew Lubow"
To:
Sent: Friday, December 12, 2003 6:20 PM
Subject: Throwing With A Tremor In My Hands
I have a mild case of Cerebral Palsey which gives me a tremor in both my
hands. It's not profoundly violent but enough to affect my fine motor
control. Up to now I've mainly hand built but I'd like to learn how to
throw. Any advice appreciated.
Andy Lubow
"Live each day like it was going to be your last. Someday you'll be right"
Benny Hill
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Michael Wendt on sat 13 dec 03
I throw standing and have found that a steady rest much improves stability
to the outer hand. Essentially, you could have a multi-axis rest built from
square tubing so it could be adjusted up-down, left-right and in-out from
the center axis of rotation. With a comfortable vinyl covered pad, it would
reduce fatigue, minimize tremor motion and provide a compass point for the
outer hand.
I find that if the outer hand is stable, the inner hand can do little to
alter the external shape other than thin the wall.
Good Luck,
Regards,
Michael Wendt
Wendt Pottery
2729 Clearwater Ave
Lewiston, ID 83501
wendtpot@lewiston.com
www.wendtpottery.com
Andrew Lubow wrote:
>I have a mild case of Cerebral Palsey which gives me a tremor in both my
hands. It's not profoundly violent but enough to affect my fine motor
control. Up to now I've mainly hand built but I'd like to learn how to
throw. Any advice appreciated.
>
>Andy Lubow
Steve Slatin on sat 13 dec 03
Dear Andy --
For about a half a year I sat next to a guy with CP in my pottery class.
From your description his problems were more serious than yours. He =
leaned
farther forward than most of us, and braced his left forearm against his
chest and kept his right propped tight on his right thigh.=20
He had ferocious concentration, and learned more rapidly than several =
other
students. I dropped out of class but went back about a year and a half
later to buy some pots, and he was throwing a 12" cylinder. =20
Given that almost anything is possible, I'd recommend finding whatever
position and bracing makes it easy for you to steady yourself. Once you =
get
that worked out, the tremor will probably drop below the level of your
attention.
Best wishes -- Steve Slatin=20
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Andrew =
Lubow
Sent: Friday, December 12, 2003 6:20 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Throwing With A Tremor In My Hands
I have a mild case of Cerebral Palsey which gives me a tremor in both my
hands.
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