Hope Amos

Chimneys and upstairs windows of brick terraced houses

When I resumed my postgraduate studies as a part-time student, I suddenly became liable for a council tax bill of £1,203.14 per year. Here’s how I argued my case with the council.

Funded postgraduate students receive a tax-free stipend which covers living costs, and have their university fees paid by their funding body. Becoming ill or disabled during studies has a big financial impact, as not all funding bodies provide sick pay or extra financial support. On top of this, part-time postgraduates lose council tax exemption status.

The criteria for student council tax exemption are:

‘Undertaking a university or college full-time course which lasts for at least one academic or calendar year’
‘takes at least 24 weeks a year’
‘involves at least 21 hours of study per week during term-time’

‘To count as a full-time student, your course must’:

‘last at least 1 year’
‘involve at least 21 hours study per week’

Source: https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-full-time-students

A part-time postgraduate student studying for 21 hours per week would not receive the council tax exemption that an undergraduate studying the same hours would. The flaw in this scheme is that exemption is decided based on the tuition fees being paid; part-time students are paying reduced fees and so are not exempt. This black and white cutoff does not however take into account the difference to postgraduates whose fees are paid by their funding body, and who are unable to study full-time due to illness or disability. There is a discount for disabled people, but only if you need a whole extra room because of your disability, or space for a wheelchair.

Example of impact:

A full-time funded PhD student receives a tax-free stipend of £15,009 per year (19/20) and their university fees are paid by their funding body. They are exempt from paying council tax.

A part-time PhD student receives £7504.50 per year, their fees are paid by the funder but they are now liable to pay council tax.

The burden is even greater if a student in a shared student property becomes disabled part way through their tenancy. The maximum discount on council tax as the only non-full-time student in a household is 25%. This leaves a newly disabled postgraduate liable for 75% of the council tax on their whole student house which could cost thousands of pounds. The exception is in HMOs, where council tax is the landlord’s responsibility.

This means alongside all other problems to cope with being newly ill or disabled, there is the problem of a precarious housing situation. The options seem to be either pay the tax, or move somewhere more affordable (i.e. move in with council tax-paying professionals or into student halls where council tax is not charged).

When I resumed my studies as a part-time student, I was living in a 2 bed flat with another student. My council tax bill was suddenly £1,203.14 per year. Here’s how I appealed it.

Firstly, I tried for exemption on the basis that I was studying for 21 hours per week- the minimum course load for undergraduates to be considered full-time students. I confirmed with my supervisors and Graduate School in writing that I would be working 21 hours per week, then wrote to the council to ask for exemption. I was denied because my official course status was part-time, not full-time.

For my second, successful attempt, I collated 3 different doctors’ letters stating my disability (I just used clinic summaries that had been posted to me) and got a signed and stamped letter from my Graduate School stating that I would be working 21 hours per week. I attached these to an email where I explained that I was studying part-time because I was disabled, and that I did not have income from a part-time job.

Fortunately this was enough to secure a council tax exemption. My next step would have been contacting my local councillor and MP.

Postgraduates who have to study part-time due to illness or disability should not have to pay council tax, and the guidance on council websites should reflect this. In the meantime, it is worth remembering that appealing directly to your local council to inform them of your specific circumstances can secure an exemption. The official rules and wording do vary from council to council.

Top tips:

Know your rights and the wording of the tax laws
Prepare your case in advance, come armed with the facts
Advocate for yourself, or ask someone to help you. The charity Shelter gives great free advice over the phone or online
Don’t give up if your appeal is rejected on the first attempt

Resources:

Shelter Housing Charity (free housing advice in England): https://england.shelter.org.uk/

Citizens advice UK: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-a-home/student-housing/students-in-private-rented-accommodation/student-housing-council-tax/

UK government information on student council tax discounts: https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-full-time-students

Hobbies and Sport, Sport and Fitness

How to Stabilise The Wrist When Swimming

19th Jul 2021 Hope Amos

Swimming is a great, low-impact form of exercise that gives a full-body workout. I knew that if I could stabilise my wrist enough, swimming would help me to build up strength in my arm that is still weakened after a fracture and nerve damage from a road accident. I tried several ways to stabilise the wrist, and found some great solutions.

Disclaimer: This blog post is based on my experiences. I am not a medical professional so always check with your doctor before trying new things that could aggravate your medical condition.

Support Tape (Lightweight Support)

Physio tape/ kinesiology tape/ sports tape is adhesive and slightly stretchy. It can be applied in different ways to best support muscles or joints during exercise. A waterproof tape should last for at least one swim session. Because this tape is designed to provide support without restricting movement, it’s on the lightweight side. Personally, several layers of tape wrapped around my wrist and crossing my palm were not enough to prevent my wrist subluxing when swimming.

If you have sensitive skin, tape might not be suitable for you.

Box of Rock Tape kinesiology tape. Photo of a woman on the box with tape applied to her upper arm and upper leg — Kinesiology tape

Neoprene Splint (Medium-High Support)

Neoprene splints are a comfortable support that can easily be removed and reused. Neoprene is slightly buoyant in water, and heavier when saturated when lifted out of water. For this reason, wearing a splint on just one wrist gives a slightly lopsided feel, especially when swimming frontcrawl, butterfly or backstroke. It feels less odd in breaststroke and is otherwise quite easy to adjust to.

Neoprene wrist splint secured across the back of the hand and wrist by velcro straps — Side view of neoprene wrist splint

Using a neoprene splint with a metal insert will restrict wrist movement the most, giving the most support. A metal insert will lock the wrist so that the back of the hand is slightly drawn backwards towards the wrist. Although possible to swim in this position, if you don’t require so much support, using a wrist wrap or splint without a metal insert will allow the wrist to move into a more streamlined swimming position. Click here for my reviews of different types of wrist splints. You could also combine a splint with support tape underneath.

Chlorine will damage the elasticity of the neoprene splint over time so it is important to rinse well after every use.

Forearm Fulcrums and Bolster Paddles (High Support)

Forearm fulcrums and bolster paddles are swimming aids designed to lock the hand and wrist in the optimum position for swimming (early vertical forearm position, or EVF). As well as supporting your wrist, they will improve your technique! All main strokes (breaststroke, frontcrawl/freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly) are possible using these swim aids. Because they alter your swimming style, it is recommended to try them out over short distances at first.

I use the FINIS Forearm Fulcrums which pass over the back of the forearm, under the wrist, and across the back of the hand in a figure 8 loop to lock the wrist in position. Rubber at the inside of the wrist and back of hand and arm prevents the Forearm Fulcrum from slipping. Because there is no fabric involved, they are very easy to care for. They come in two sizes: Junior for teens and petite adults, and Senior. I tried both sizes and although both worked for me, the Junior size was a better fit and didn’t require so much tension to hold the fulcrum in place when swimming.

I have palmar mid-carpal wrist instability and can happily swim using these without any subluxations or dislocations as my wrist is unable to move up or down when they are in place. I also have a partially-trapped median nerve, and preventing my hand from moving also helps to reduce nerve irritation and pain. The FINIS forearm fulcrums enabled me from not being able to use my right arm at all, to swimming 500m using both arms the first time I used them.

The FINIS Bolster Paddles are designed with the same goal of stabilising the wrist in the EVF position with a solid hand paddle to increase water resistance. The plastic paddle is secured around the forearm with two velcro straps, and the fingers are held in place by a rubber strap. I haven’t had the chance to try them yet so please leave a comment if you have/haven’t found them useful.

Lifestyle, Transport

Which Car Hire Companies Support Drivers who use Steering Aids?

24th Jun 202123rd Jul 2021 Hope Amos

I asked Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Sixt, and Europcar:

1) Can I hire an automatic car with steering aids fitted?

2) Can I fit and use my own steering aids in a hire car?

Below I have outlined which companies it is possible to hire a car from if you are injured or disabled and require steering aids such as a steering spinner or indicator extension.

This information is correct for car hire in the UK as of June 2021.

What are steering aids?

Typically steering aids are removable and bolt onto the steering wheel or indicator stick. They include steering spinners which allow one-handed steering, and indicator extenders which allow control of indicators or windscreen wipers from the opposite side of the steering wheel. Read more about the steering aids I use in order to drive one handed.

Who benefits from steering aids?

Steering aids in combination with automatic transmission enable people with a hand or upper limb disability or injury to drive a car. People with disabilities like arthritis, weak grip, hemiplegia or injuries affecting the hand, wrist, or arm may require steering aids. Aids may help with gripping the steering wheel and controlling the car with one hand.

Are hand controls the same as steering aids?

No- Hand controls replace foot pedals (brake and accelerator) and are designed to help people with lower limb disability. Several car hire companies have information about hand controls on their websites and provide this service for free. Hand controls will NOT make it easier to drive a car if you have a hand or upper limb disability.

Enterprise- Full Support

With 48 hours notice, Enterprise provides Lynx steering aids including a steering ball or quad/tetra grip steering wheel attachment, indicator extension to left side, and assisted hand brake release (as well as hand controls for those with lower limb disability). This service is free.

When I spoke to them on the phone, they also agreed that I could rent an automatic car and attach my own steering aids with less than 48 hours’ notice. The Enterprise website states that they are committed to supporting disabled customers and also offer a free surrogate driver option, and hire of permanently adapted vehicles.

One thing to note is that the Enterprise website says vehicle hire is possible using a debit card. This process requires an approval step and is not possible for all customers.

Avis- Partial Support

Avis do not provide steering aids but would allow drivers to use their own. They did stipulate drivers would be responsible for fitting their own aids for liability reasons, but could ask for assistance with this at the rental office. Their online chat function was helpful and allowed me to get clarification very quickly.

Europcar- Partial Support

Europcar do not provide steering aids but do let drivers provide their own. Their website did not have this information available but it was confirmed by emailing their customer service team.

Sixt- Partial Support

Sixt also do not provide steering aids in the UK, but do allow drivers to bring and fit their own. This information isn’t available online but was confirmed by email.

Support and information for disabled drivers in the US is available at https://www.sixt.com/customers-with-disabilities and states “Sixt is committed to providing a range of Adaptive Driving Devices for our customers with disabilities. Adaptive Driving Devices include left and right hand controls, and spinner knobs”.

Hertz- No Support

Hertz do not provide steering aids, and do not let drivers provide their own. I was told this was because their insurance would not cover it.

Overview

Enterprise had the most detailed and comprehensive options for disabled drivers on their website. If you have a credit card, this is your best bet for making a spontaneous booking.

By contacting customer services, Avis, Europcar and Sixt all confirmed that providing your own steering aids was possible when renting a car. This isn’t an ideal solution for everyone, but does give some additional flexibility and choice of hire company if you already own removable steering aids.

It was very disappointing that Hertz did not provide any options for customers requiring steering aids especially as they are well-known international company.

I would recommend booking car hire over the phone or by email, as most websites do not offer steering aid options as an add-on at checkout. Additionally, individual branch staff might not be aware that steering aids are supported, or what the company regulations are. The option to provide your own steering aids was not a standard anywhere, although when asked, several companies were able to accommodate this. The issue of liability was raised by Avis which highlights the need to get detailed confirmation in writing. Clearer information on car hire websites would be useful and save time contacting customer services.

If you have had a good experience or cautionary tale from hiring a car as a disabled driver, please leave a comment below. So far I’ve learned that research and preparation in advance is key!

Extended arm with hand straining to hold a phone. Black and white image

Lifestyle, Tech

5 Smartphone Grips to Make Holding Your Phone Easier

15th Mar 202124th Oct 2021 Hope Amos

Holding phones in an awkward way can cause pain flare ups for those with chronic hand and wrist complaints like arthritis, RSI, carpal tunnel or EDS.

Smartphone grips for small hands, weak grip or subluxing joints can make holding a phone more secure and comfortable. Below are some of the different options for phone grips and key search terms to help find them online. Adhesive grips can be positioned in the optimal place for each individual’s hand size and left- or right-handedness.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and I will earn money from qualifying purchases. I use and would recommend the Frienda elastic straps linked below but have not tried the other products. Clicking on an image will take you to its Amazon product page.

Elastic Strap

Search for: Adhesive elastic strap, phone finger grip, phone stand

Relatively slim, and can be used with one to four fingers. Some come with a kickstand, and/or a card holding pocket. I find this type of strap comfortable and secure, making the phone easy to hold without having to grip.

Popup Grip

Popsocket phone grip seen from the side. It has a flat, circular base with a tapered concertina middle part. The top is round and flat with a black and white marbled design — Popsockets PopGrip Ghost Marble
Amazon UK
Amazon.com

Search for: Popsockets, popup grip

This plastic grip is adhesive and is clasped between fingers. It can be flattened or extended with a push, and can double as a prop stand. There are lots of different colours and patterns and they are widely available on Etsy and Amazon.

Ring Holder

Rainbow iridescent ring is shown from the side. Another view shows it being used as a landscape view stand for a phone. Indicates that it is magnetic and can attach to a magnetic mount. — Cell Phone Ring Holder
Amazon UK
Amazon.com

Search for: Phone ring kickstand, adhesive, magnetic

A metal or plastic ring that can be folded flat into the phone, for one or two fingers. Some can be used as a stand when folded out, and may contain a magnet for mounting onto an in-car stand. Rings can be adhesive or come as part of a case. Many have 360 degree rotation allowing different holding positions.

Silicone Strap

Search for: Universal silicone strap/grip/band/loop

This strap is attatched by the inside of your phone case which has to have a camera hole (case usually not included). They are long enough to fit 4 fingers and the angle can be set as preferred.

Slide Up Finger Grip

A lilac strip on the back of a smartphone is pushed up, creating a loop for one finger to fit through and hold the phone. — Pela colapsible grip
Amazon UK
Amazon.com

Search for Pela, Speck GrabTab, Momostick, slide up phone finger holder/ grip

These grips are relatively low profile when not in use. They usually fit one finger and can double as a stand. Some brands include card-holders or biodegradeable design.

When choosing remember to check which surfaces an adhesive is compatible with!

Lifestyle, Transport

Driving one-handed: Six months on

9th Mar 2021 Hope Amos

Updates and insights into driving an automatic car one-handed

At first it was a bit overwhelming to have so many changes at once, but now one-handed driving feels natural. Driving an automatic is lovely, stop-start driving and pulling away from junctions is so much easier without having to change gears manually.

Since getting the steering knob and indicator secured in their optimal positions 5 months ago, they haven’t come loose. I keep a hex key set and pliers in the glovebox though, just in case something ever needs adjusting when I’m away from home.

The steering knob is so helpful for parallel parking and I find it easier than steering with both hands now because it makes turning the wheel faster. The one I used temporarily rattled around a bit which made it difficult to make small adjustments like when driving on the motorway. The Alfred Bekker one I’m using now is more sturdy and doesn’t have the same problem (my steering aids review here).

Maintenance has been tricky as I struggled with unscrewing things that had been left very tight like the oil and tyre pressure caps. I found out the hard way that under-inflated tyres make the steering heavier so I’m making sure to keep an eye on tyre pressure regularly.

Overall I love having the freedom of driving. It’s meant I can live in a less central area and don’t have to rely on public transport and supermarket deliveries. The steering aids help me to drive confidently and I’m not limited by pain or instability in my wrist.

white pills arranged in the shape of a question mark on a bright yellow background

Health

Should I use an Online Pharmacy?

23rd Nov 202012th Jul 2021 Hope Amos

In the UK, you can now nominate to send all your electronic prescriptions to an online pharmacy. You can then order medication online, and have it delivered to your door. This post is about my positive experience using an online pharmacy this year, and how to get around ordering issues.

Pros of Using an Online Pharmacy

Saves travelling to a pharmacy and queueing in person
No extra cost
Easy to use with prepaid prescription certificate
Get reminder emails when it’s time to order repeat medication

Cons of using an Online Pharmacy

Need to order a few days in advance
Have to remember to specify alternative pharmacy at your GP if you need medicine ASAP (like antibiotics)
If you pay for prescriptions, payment may be taken automatically when your GP orders for you

My Experience

I started using an online pharmacy in April because I wanted to reduce the time spent ordering and collecting medication as well as decreasing my risk of Covid-19 exposure. I have found it so convenient that I don’t think I’ll switch back.

I used to have to phone the pharmacy (multiple times because the phone was usually engaged), then call ahead a few days later so they could prepare the medication, then go to collect in person and usually queue. On top of this, my local pharmacy had supply issues a couple of times, which meant I had to go back every few days to collect a few tablets at a time. I’m on several medications long-term so cutting out pharmacy trips has made ordering and picking up prescriptions so much easier.

I have a prepaid prescription certificate and I could select this as a payment option online with no problem. It was also easy to change my delivery address and re-nominate the same account from my new GP surgery when I moved house.

The only problem I’ve had was forgetting to ask my GP to send a prescription for antibiotics to my local pharmacy instead of online. This did take several phone calls to sort out but was fixed the same day.

Help! My prescription was sent to an online pharmacy but I need it ASAP

If your nominated pharmacy is online and your GP prescribes you medicine to start taking immediately, it’s best to ask them to send it to your local pharmacy as a one-off. There will be a delay if it’s sent to a nominated (online) pharmacy due to packing and delivery times.

If you forget, and the order hasn’t been shipped by the online pharmacy, it’s not too late.

To rectify an order sent to an online pharmacy by mistake, phone the online pharmacy and tell them you need to collect ASAP from another pharmacy. Then, ask them to put your prescription back on the NHS ‘spine’. This will cancel your order with them and make your prescription available to order elsewhere. This might take a few minutes and they might have to call you back. They’ll then give you a long number code. You will need to phone your local pharmacy with this code, tell them your prescription is on the spine and give them your details and the code. This should allow the local pharmacy to prepare the medication for you.

I would recommend online pharmacies…

If you have repeat prescriptions and want to cut down on pharmacy trips. This has saved me so much time going to the pharmacy, as well as reducing my risk of exposure to covid-19. I haven’t had any problems with supply which has been an issue over the past year at my in-person pharmacy. It’s easy to order and I don’t have to wait in a phone queue or in person at the pharmacy any more.

The pharmacy app or website also makes it easy to see when you last ordered your medication, and can send email reminders when it’s time to reorder repeat prescriptions.

It might not be worth it if…

You order medication infrequently, and need medication on the day more often. It’s also worth noting that if you pay for prescriptions and save your payment details with your nominated pharmacy, you could be charged automatically when your GP sends a prescription through.

To nominate an online pharmacy

You can ask your GP, use the NHS prescriptions app, or most online pharmacies allow you to nominate them through their website. When choosing an online pharmacy, make sure that it is reputable and properly licenced, the NHS guide to ordering prescriptions online is here: h ttps://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-to-order-repeat-prescriptions-online/ .

NHS-listed online pharmacies:

Boots (free delivery in England only) (https://www.boots.com/online/pharmacy/)

Echo by Lloyds (https://www.echo.co.uk/)

Pharmacy2U (https://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/)

Health, Lifestyle

Wrist Splints Review

29th Oct 202025th Jun 2021 Hope Amos

My recommendations for wrist supports to prevent subluxation and clenching at night.

I have a pain response where I tightly clench my fist and arm in my sleep. This causes my wrist to sublux (joint pops partially out) and stretches and irritates my median nerve, which was damaged in an accident. Both of these things cause more pain and perpetuate the cycle so a year ago my doctor recommended wearing a wrist splint at night to prevent these things from happening.

Recently I had to replace my splint and was a bit bewildered by all the different options, so I have tested and reviewed six supports below. All the splints cover the palm and include a metal bar up the inside of the wrist and bent into the palm. It’s more comfortable than it sounds and the bar helps to stop the fist from folding in towards the arm. When putting a splint on I clench my fist and arm muscles with my arm straight so that I won’t make the splint too tight or restrictive.

In an ideal world, consult with your doctor for the best advice. I appreciate we don’t all have the access we need at the moment and sometimes a quick fix or stopgap is helpful. For the same reason, although I try to avoid it, these are all links to Amazon. They have a huge range of wrist supports, and a decent return and refund system.

My original splint (Praxis)

My doctor gave me this splint when I first said I was having problems clenching my fist overnight. The strap around the wrist and arm is fully adjustable as it can attach to anywhere on the neoprene and provides enough support to stop my wrist from subluxing. It’s easy to line up and put on one-handed because of the way the big strap wraps around. The neoprene gives some additional warmth which I find nice except for on very hot nights. This splint comes quite high up over the palm of the hand so the design and the metal bar inside really stop the wrist from being able to flex.

I love this splint and find that it works really well and is very comfortable. The only downside is that attaching the Velcro to the neoprene causes it to fuzz and become less sticky over time. I think the lifespan of this splint if you wear it every night is probably around six months before the Velcro stops working. You can sew Velcro on top of the neoprene to increase the lifespan which I did but after about 12 months it’s really frayed and stretched beyond repair.

Splint #2 (Praxis, £5.99)

I bought this splint as a replacement for my worn out one. It’s the same brand, but a slightly altered design. They’ve changed the type of velcro on the wrist wrapping part, maybe to try to avoid the neoprene fuzzing. I’m not sure if it’s an improvement as I found this made it less sticky at the edges.

It’s one size fits all; I have small hands and wrists and find it comfortable and supportive enough. It restricts wrist movement curling the hand towards the wrist best, but doesn’t totally restrict wrist movement side to side.

Splint #3 (Actesso, £9.85)

I was looking for something that would be more breathable and cooler to wear in the summer. The design of this splint is quite a common one with panels of stretchy, breathable fabric at the sides. It’s quite difficult to put this splint on because has multiple straps and it’s tricky to hold the splint closed and line them all up. I chose this splint specifically because it looked the most breathable, but unfortunately because it has both elastic and thin parts, it doesn’t prevent my wrist from bending very much.

Splint #4 (BodyTec, £6.49)

This splint has a similar design to the one above but is made of neoprene. Again, from the side view it can be seen that the fabric of the splint doesn’t actually overlap itself. This does cut down on bulkiness but if you’re looking for a sturdy wrist support, it might be too stretchy. It was still possible for me to flex my hand inwards and sublux my wrist so I found this splint too flimsy and didn’t brace my hand well enough.

Splint #5 (Zofore, £13.97 but currently unavailable*)

If splints are like a prison for your wrist, this splint is Alcatraz. It’s very well made and sturdy, and the design ensures that skin doesn’t get trapped in the join. The straps are not stretchy and the middle strap wraps all the way around the arm and back on itself, making this splint the most supportive that I tried. It’s possible to tighten the straps so that you have no flexion in the wrist at all. I ordered the smallest size but the top strap is still a little long, so has to be positioned at an angle. Overall the fit is fine for my wrist and arm though. It is made of breathable fabric but now it’s cooler I haven’t noticed whether it’s effective.

The ‘strengths’ (literally) of the splint are also its weaknesses. Three straps are quite difficult to coordinate with one hand, especially the long middle one which sticks to everything when I’m trying to put it on. The first few times it was difficult to find the correct fit and not over tighten it, which led to me cutting off my circulation in my sleep, because it’s not so stretchy.

* Correct October 29th 2020

Wrist support (Dr Arthritis, £12.95)

Not a splint, but I sometimes use this wrap-around neoprene wrist support during the day. Although not as supportive, I find it useful if my wrist is feeling very weak and I have to do something where I need wrist flexibility like yoga or moving heavy things around. The neoprene strap that wraps all round the wrist gives the extra support I need to stop my wrist subluxing. Again because it’s neoprene it showing signs of wear, but I’ll probably replace it with the same kind because it is very comfortable.

I can’t speak for how well these splints will help for other wrist conditions like arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome- you may find that you don’t need as much support or restriction of movement, or prefer to wear something less bulky. Several of the product pages state that they are used by the NHS although I’m not sure how you’d check that.

For preventing wrist clunching and subluxation at night, my top recommendation would be the Praxis splint, as I find it the easiest to put on and the most comfortable. Its only downsides are that it wears out relatively quickly (this may have been improved by the new design) and it can be hot to wear. The black Zofore splint was the sturdiest splint that I tried and was very supportive. I did find it difficult to get the fit right and coordinate the straps at first but have got the hang of it after a couple of weeks. I’d recommend putting a new splint on an hour or so before going to bed to get the fit right and avoid overtightening.

Tips for choosing a wrist splint:

Fewer straps will make it easier to put on
A strap that wraps all the way around the wrist will give better support
Stretchy and breathable materials might not provide enough support
Neoprene is a comfortable and warm material, maybe too warm
Doctors may advise against wearing splints in the day to avoid deconditioning muscle. Always speak to a doctor for the best advice

Amy is smiling into the camera, she has brown hair with a fringe and is wearing glasses.

Lifestyle

‘How I’m Handling It’: Amy Hetherington, Journalist

22nd Oct 202030th Oct 2020 Hope Amos

I chat to journalist Amy Hetherington about growing up with hemiplegia, access to music at school, her career path, and one-handed horse riding

I reached out to Amy whilst researching the feasibility of finding an instrument to play one-handed. Currently I can only play the piano in short bursts due to nerve pain and have mostly given up playing the clarinet, but would love to get back into music somehow. I found the website for the One-Handed Musical Instruments Trust (OHMI) and saw Amy’s blog there. I was so grateful to talk to someone else with an upper limb disability who had experience of music (but not at an elite and unrelatable level). We branched out into other topics because I haven’t had much chance to speak to other disabled people lately and I wanted advice on more than just music, so I’ve split the article I was planning to write on OHMI and the Accessible Instruments Showcase into a separate post (coming soon).

Amy and music

Amy grew up with her ability to use one hand affected by hemiplegia. Her early memory of music at school was feeling upset to be left out and bored in group music classes, particularly when learning the recorder, a rite of passage for many children. Instead, she took up the trumpet, but found it heavy and difficult to play using only one hand. Although trumpets appear one-handed by design, with the right hand operating three valves on the top of the instrument, the left hand helps to support the weight of the (heavy) solid metal instrument. At a professional level, some trumpets also have a fourth valve to extend the range which complicates matters further. Amy settled on singing, where the problem of a heavy choir score book was more easily solved by using a conventional music stand.

The OHMI trust

Amy highlighted the problem of a lack of accessible musical instruments to her father Dr Stephen Hetherington, who founded OHMI with the goal of making one-handed instruments more accessible. The initial problem was that only a few expensive instruments. For this reason, OHMI holds a yearly competition to design a one-handed instrument, equipment to adapt or support an existing instrument, or a concept to help solve issues with design or supply. Over the last 9 years, winners have created a 3D printed one-handed recorder, stands to support brass instruments, and a one-handed clarinet amongst others. Although OHMI has a strong focus on providing options to increase inclusion of disabled children in music at school, adults can also rent or buy instruments through the trust.

One-handed horse riding?!

Amy’s other hobbies include horse riding, which she says is great for core strength. One-handed horse riding sounds terrifying, but Amy talks about it in a very nonchalant way. To make it work, she uses adapted reins and a mounting block. Then once in the saddle, the technique is not much different from riding in the standard way; it sounds like horses are able to adapt to humans as much as the other way around, as riding the same horse frequently allows them to learn how to respond to a rider’s particular movements and even voice commands.

Any one-handed tips?

When I ask Amy about any adaptations or tips for living one-handed, she replies that growing up with a disability means she’s trained one very dextrous hand which allows her to do most things. Because she’s adapted her own ways to do things, Amy finds some adaptations even make things more difficult. She prefers one-handed typing on a small keyboard over using voice recognition software (which I agree is very temperamental) and tying shoelaces rather than using pull-elastic ones which are tricky to get tight enough.

Archaeology and Journalism

Amy recalls being a storyteller from childhood and writing from an early age. She discovered a passion for History at school which led her to study archaeology at university. After trying out both the excavation and admin side of things, Amy decided to return to writing which she describes as ‘a long love that was sadly forgotten’. She is currently working as a freelance journalist and writes the blog for OHMI.

Links (open in a new tab)

Amy’s website

The OHMI Trust website

colourful fitness equipment, stretch bands and weights

Hobbies and Sport, Sport and Fitness

Sport and Fitness- Feel Confident Trying Something New

12th Oct 202011th Oct 2020 Hope Amos

Fitness classes and sports clubs are great for getting into a routine, motivation, providing instruction, and socialising. After I became unable to swim and cycle easily I went on a bit of a quest to find something fun that would keep me fit. I tried lots of different classes and sports including salsa, Zumba, yoga, squash (really not good for weak wrists), pilates, jogging and going to the gym. Trying new things with a disability or injury can be a bit daunting, so whether you are thinking of going to an in person class, or following one online, here are my tips for getting started:

1. If you have a disability, injury or illness and the exercise is something new to you, remember to speak to your doctor about it first. If you join a gym or sign up for classes they will ask you to fill out some medical forms so being informed is key.

2. I really recommend turning up early to speak to the instructor before in person sessions. Rather than just naming your condition, let the instructor know specifically if there’s any movements you can’t do, if you don’t want to be pushed hard, or if you might have to take a break during the session. This might also help if you’re feeling self-conscious about not fitting in exactly with what everyone else is doing.

3. If you’re feeling anxious about getting started, see if you can persuade someone to come with you for moral support, even if it’s just for the first session.

4. Before committing to a long-term gym or classes subscription, look for offers or ask if you can try the first session for free. That way if you’re not enjoying it, you’re free to try something else.

5. Think outside the box if traditional classes aren’t your style. Think swing dance, hillwalking, archery or canoeing!

6. If you can afford it, a one-to-one session can help you to work out the best way to modify exercises for you. This might be to find alternative exercises which accommodate your disability, working on improving skills, or finding out how to play to your strengths. You might also get more personalised suggestions for improvement in a smaller group.

7. Online classes and videos are great for fitting around any schedule and trying things out on your own. Follow the links on the Resources page for free classes, including specialised classes for managing arthritis pain, and post-stroke exercises.

8. Don’t forget any splints, braces or tape that you use to support joints and muscles.

9. Make sure to warm up/cool down, rehydrate and stretch properly before and after the class. For me, this means paying special attention to my wrists.

10. Finally, don’t worry about what anyone else is doing! Take breaks as you need, listen to your body and don’t be afraid to call it a day if it’s really not for you.

“Pre-lockdown I used to enjoy going to Zumba because it’s great cardio and everyone leaves smiling. I would go at the back so I wouldn’t feel self-conscious or worry that I was confusing anyone when freestyling over the moves I couldn’t do. Now I follow online and it’s still a way to improve my agility and coordination in a way that’s more fun for me than going to the gym.”

banner of a watercolour tiger painting, an oil painting of tomatoes, and an abstract yellow and blues acrylic painting

Hobbies and Sport

Quick and Easy Art Media Review

7th Oct 202012th Oct 2020 Hope Amos

I used to enjoy drawing and painting before my injury and have tried since, but found it too painful for my injured hand and too difficult with my non-dominant hand. I wanted to find something creative that would be fun and easy to do, without needing very fine motor skills.

I dug out a bunch of art supplies from my Art GCSE days and tried them out to see which techniques lend themselves best to non-dominant hand use. I decided to avoid using my dominant hand altogether which left me with my uninjured left hand that’s bad at aiming and still not used to holding a pencil.

Chalk Pastels

Pastels seemed like a good idea because there’s no equipment needed and no washing up. They’re also chunkier than pencils or paintbrushes. They needed more pressure than I had thought and I found them difficult to manipulate. It was also hard to aim because of the pastel’s blunt style combined with my lack of precision. The difficulty caused my right hand to tense up and move around in sympathy, so had the unintended effect of causing pain anyway. I was happy with my picture but I found the style frustrating and painful so I won’t be trying them again soon.

Solid Watercolours

These paints need water to be picked up and mixed in with the brush, which is difficult if you have problems stabilising your arm. A solution to this could be to add in water with an eyedropper, or to use tube watercolours. The paintbrush was thin and difficult to hold, so wrapping tape around it or using rubber pencil grips might have helped. Watercolours were good because very little pressure is needed, but adding details was hard and needed concentration to aim. It’s also not a very forgiving type of paint- if you make a mistake, it’s tricky to cover up. I think I’ll try again with watercolours, but using a different technique and style.

Oil paints

These paints are thick, squishy, and slow to dry so allow lots of corrections and alterations as you go; I used a palette knife to spread and mix the paints together on the page. I found this easier than using a brush because I didn’t have to be as accurate and the movement didn’t need as much dexterity. The only problem with oil paints is that they are tricky to clean up if you don’t have the water-soluble kind.

Acrylic Paints

Acrylic paints are faster to dry than oils but still thick. I premixed some different colours, dotted them randomly on a canvas board, then spread them with a palette knife for an abstract effect. This was quick, fun, and easy to do. It is also easy on the hand and wrist joints and didn’t need much pressure.

Final Thoughts

I found the thick paints to be easier to use than watercolours or pastels which needed greater accuracy. I liked the tactile (but low pressure) approach.
An easel would have been useful to stop the paper or canvas moving around on the table and I’ll look into that in future.
Working on a bigger scale would make adding details easier. I was working on A6 size paper for all except the acrylics (A5).