Intentional Stress Challenge: Become Ambidextrous

Progressive challenge series to train the use of your off-hand.

Off-Handed Story

The fourth year of graduate school to become an audiologist is a full-time externship. No more classroom, just applied knowledge, mentorship, and on the job training in the field.

I was fortunate enough to be selected into the highly competitive program at The Cleveland Clinic. The year consisted of seven different rotations, all focused on a different area within our scope of practice.

During my hearing aid rotation, I also supported the VIP Clinic, a program that allowed for a one-day, whole-body medical examination to complete any and all tests a given person would need all year.

A classmate tested Oprah’s hearing because of this program.

During my rotation, I learned I would be fitting hearing aids on one of the top five richest men in Great Britain.

Meeting him in the lobby, the well-dressed man in his mid-40s was extremely friendly and down-to-earth. We were talking childhood sports before we even reached my office. It’s always refreshing to have someone demolish preconceived notions. There was nothing stereotypical about this multi-billionaire. His charm made me feel like I was talking to a friend rather than a patient who arrived with a security detail. It probably helped I’ve never been too concerned with status and had excellent parents who taught me to treat everyone the same (and to be cautious of those who don’t). Maybe it was my charm that was making him less nervous about getting hearing aids…

As I began taking his case history, he commented on my being a lefty. I explained I was the only person in my family who was and that my grandfather had even suggested my hand be tied to my side so I could learn to write the correct way at a young age.

My patient was listening intently with a large grin on his face as I told my short story. When finished, he let me know it was his father who actually started the business he now runs globally.

Similar to me, his dad was also born left-handed. Unlike me, he had his “problem” corrected at a young age.

His dad attended a catholic school where the nuns would slap his left hand with a ruler any time he tried to write with it. He quickly became proficient with his right hand. At home, however, he enjoyed writing and would often journal or write letters with his left hand. Eventually his dad could write perfect cursive with both hands at the same time.

Alone, this is an impressive feat.

The remarkable part was that he could write different words simultaneously either as part of the same paragraph or on two different sheets of paper.

The man could write two different documents at the same time.

Sitting back in his chair, my new friend reflected on the continued amazement he would feel watching his dad write a letter or two different letters with two hands at the same time.

Having to try it for myself, I pulled out some printer paper. For the next ten minutes, one of the richest men in the world and I made fun of ourselves for epically failing to try to be like his dad.

Writing the same words was a doable but ugly task.

Writing different words, out of the question.

Writing different words simultaneously as part of a coherent sentence, with the goal of completing a paragraph in half the time as one hand, perceptually impossible.

We didn’t even try two different sheets at the same time.

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Sinister History of Lefties

“The Devil himself was considered a southpaw, and he and other evil spirits were always conjured up by left-handed gestures.”

-Unknown

Medieval Europe demonized left-handed people, with documented cases of lefties being accused of witchcraft and subsequently burned at the stake.

Across many religious texts, you will find positive references to the right side, while the left is thought of as unclean, unlucky, cursed, or evil.

The word “sinister” is originally Latin and means “on the left side.”

Our ancestors had very interesting theories when it came to dealing with individual differences…

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Can One Have a Hand in Handedness?

Handedness is primarily a genetic trait that is expressed around four years of age.

Approximately ninety percent of the world’s population is right-handed. The other ten percent is left-handed, with less than one percent of people being born ambidextrous.

Handedness is typically tied to fine motor skills that involve small, precise movements for specific tasks. On the other hand (pun intended), gross motor skills involve larger movements and muscle groups.

I’m technically a lefty, as I write, eat, and brush my teeth with my left hand; however, I’ve always performed gross motor skills more effectively with my right.

Fine versus gross motor functioning represent two distinct skill sets.

Like all skills, both are prone to adaptation.

There used to be many claims, and there still are many programs, about using ambidextrous training to improve brain health. While there is no conclusive evidence behind these statements or expensive systems regarding improved brain function, off-hand training unquestionably causes adaptations and improved physical function.

Plasticity is a two-way street.

Use it or lose it.

Our less-preferred side has the same potential as our genetically dominant side.

Ignore it at your own risk or enhance your functioning through focused training.