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I have a friend with cerebral palsy who is just getting into stamping and card making. She has a lot of trouble, as she really only has mobility and strength in one hand. Using punches is really challenging, as we all use one hand to steady the paper and one hand to punch. Anybody have ideas on gizmos (I was thinking of stealing my husband's clamps out of his workshop) or techniques which work better with folks with mobility problems? It is also had to get a clear immage, as her muscles tighten up when she goes to stamp, which makes it more challenging. She is pretty independent, and doesn't want to have others make the whole card.
Leah
Do you think something like the Fiskars stamp press might help your friend with the issue of getting a clear impression? You can press down "flat handed" once you have your stamp in place and inked up so she might not get the same kind of muscle effect as she does when gripping a block. I guess it would depend whether she has the strength and range of movement to be able to flip it over since it's reasonably big (look for Fiskars Stamp press on You Tube if you haven't seen one, there are several demos on there).
Punches are tricky! I'm not sure what to suggest there - maybe somebody with some experience of restricted mobility will be able to chime in with something.
this isn't quite what I had in mind but a decent picture. There are lots of items in medical supply store type places that will help with mobility and support. Think items that would aid a person after a stroke,. Cool Tools: Third Hand
Basically this could hold her project or paper and she could punch.
__________________ Victoria
~Made of awesome
~My 6th Avon 39
Have you thought about digital stamps? This would eliminate any mess made from the stamp being moved on the paper. However, in order to change the colours, you would need a graphics editing program. There are quite a few companies that sell solid digital stamps (I assume colouring wouldn't be an option) - Stampin' Up is one company that comes to mind and you don't need their MDS program to use the stamps. Photoshop elements or Paintshop pro are good programs or any program like these would work.
I broke my wrist a few months ago and tried to make cards one-handed. I have a great deal of empathy for your friend and also admire her determination. One thing I found when it came to cutting (as I couldn't use punches) was my Cuttlebug with Spellbinders Nestabilities. The Cuttlebug sticks to the table as it has suction cups on the bottom. It's easy to center the image you want to cut with the Nestabilities (sometimes I would adhere them with removable adhesive). It only takes one hand and not alot of strength to turn the handle on the cuttlebug to push the paper through. I also found if I adhered my cardstock to a piece of scrap paper with removable adhesive that would hold the cardstock in place which made it much easier to work with. You then just peel off your "good" paper" and there's no residue. I would think that would work to put the cardstock on a cheap plastic placemat (think Dollar Store). If she has a computer, I would put thing cardstock in the printer and type my sentiments. They printed out really well. I hope these couple ideas may be of help. Good luck to you and your friend. How kind of you to work on helping her!
Oooh, iupindiana's mention of magnetic made me remember - draughtsmen use a boards with magnets to hold their big sheet of paper while they work. A little version might be really useful for your friend - a flat cookie sheet and the type of magnets sold for notice boards would make an inexpensive table-top version. She could use the magnets to keep her project in place while she decides on placement and stick things down, etc.
I haven't tried one of these but it might help - the Fiskars Stamp Factory. It is used with clear stamps. If you Google it you can watch a video on how it works. I hope your friend finds something that will work for her.
I hope something works for her. Someone with her health issues who has the determination to keep on keeping on is inspirational. We bitc# and moan about really insignificant things when you consider what she has to deal with every day. Makes me appreciate how blessed I am.
I have a friend with cerebral palsy who is just getting into stamping and card making. She has a lot of trouble, as she really only has mobility and strength in one hand. Using punches is really challenging, as we all use one hand to steady the paper and one hand to punch. Anybody have ideas on gizmos (I was thinking of stealing my husband's clamps out of his workshop) or techniques which work better with folks with mobility problems? It is also had to get a clear immage, as her muscles tighten up when she goes to stamp, which makes it more challenging. She is pretty independent, and doesn't want to have others make the whole card.
Leah
Hello there..... Is your friends scs member? I to have cerebral palsy and touble stamping, so know frist hand frusterateing can be!!!! But The a group call whish rak on scs and she can ask pre stamping per cut paper and ribbon and ect! But you must wish rak member and you sign up?
here infomation ****ALL ABOUT Wish-RAK & MORE..... by bottomphish at Splitcoaststampers
And you might even start a thread where you can ask poeple for cut paper and prestamp and prepunched shapes ect.... And a friend on scs did that for me! and they send pre cardkits with Items for me to cards together and color the images. There is a link to my but I can't show it you becuse your not wish rak rember. You must wish rak rember to access it frist. What type images dose you friend like? I have some I can send to her just let me know. I love to help....and would to meet your friend to if on scs. You are great friend trying to think of ways help your friend stamp. If was not for friends here scs. there willing help me stamp and mom help I would not able too stamps!
thanks hotwheels I hope meet your friends
stamper with cerebral palsy
