A Helping Hand (Left or Right!)

Did you know that August 13th was International Left-handers Day? That’s right. There is a whole day set aside to celebrate left-handed people like me. According to a recent article published by the BBC, only 10 percent of the world’s population is left handed and further studies have shown that the left-handed person’s brain is more symmetrical. That symmetry leads to better language processing skills and unconventional approaches to problem solving and other challenges.

This may be anecdotal evidence, but I’m pretty good with words and languages. Aside from writing, I can hold a casual conversation with someone in French without too much trouble. I also know basic Klingon, but that comes from being a nerd, not being left-handed.

Needless to say, having CP has taught me to get creative and adaptable when it comes to solving problems, as well. In school and even now, copying out something by hand is tough. In math class, instead of writing down all the steps to the math problem 35X18, where you multiply and then add to come up with the answer, my brain goes, “35x2 is 70, add the 0 making it 700. 35X2 is 70. Take 70 away from 700 and you get 630.” No penicil, no paper, no calculator needed. I don’t remember anyone specifically teaching me that. It was just a way to save time and energy by not having to write the problems out by hand. Plus, it’s a really fun trick to do at restaurants, figuring out tips in your head while friends are still looking for the calculator apps on their phones.

That same article from the BBC said that dogs and cats can be left-handed (or more accurately left-pawed) as well. As a result, they also demonstrate the same attributes of creativity and problem solving as their human counterparts.

I am convinced that Gabe is left-handed. Every time I ask him to shake howdy, he always offers his left paw. When he gives me hugs, Gabe always goes to the left and licks my left ear. He also finds ingenious ways to sneak in the house or steal the cat food in spite of any roadblocks we set in his path. If Gabe is determined to do something, he will find a way to do it. That is just one of the reasons I relate to Gabe so much and why he is the Best Boy In The World!

Of course, creativity and problem-solving skills are not limited to just left-handed people . God gave everyone unique personalities, skills and ways to express themselves to the world around them. That’s what makes Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats such a special organization. It allows those of us with disabilities an outlet to express ourselves in different ways. It could be by demonstrating a strong work ethic while baking, interacting with customers at a farmer’s market and other venues or writing a blog every month. The list could go on and on.

So when you purchase Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats, not only are you getting delicious all-natural treats for your furry best friend, you are lending a helping hand (left or right) of support to very deserving members of the community with disabilities. Even though it’s International Left-handers Day, Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats is always the right choice.