Date:         Mon, 20 Feb 1995 09:25:00 EST
From:         "WITZIG.LEAH" <LWW1@OAS.PSU.EDU>
Subject:      Coping strategies


A couple of strategies I use to get daily tasks done and not aggravate
pain in my arms and hands more than I need to:

To mop a floor.  Wrap a towel around your mop so you have a pad of about
an inch or two (to your own taste).  Lightly grip the mop with straight
wrists.  Then dance with the mop.  In other words, don't move the mop with
your hands and arms, move it with your legs and feets.  Wear footwear that
you don't mind getting sloppy.

To make pens, pencils, toothbrushes, etc. less painful to grip, go to the
grocery store and buy large or extra-large size foam hair curlers.  I can
get a dozen Goody curlers for approximately $1.50.  Take off the plastic
gizmos and insert your pen.  Lightweight, don't have to grip as firmly,
absorbs sweat.  Pitch it when its too compressed or dirty.

I too have not figured out a way to vacuum without pain (unless you include
nagging my 21-year-old son and that creates its own pain).

Good luck!

--Leah