Need help for typing

[MupstateNY]

I'm not ready to stop typing yet. My hand OT is useless. My doctor ordered finger splint at Hanger Clinic bu when I got there, the guy said, "We don't do finger splints."

My R index finger gets tired after a fair amount of typing. I read a bunch of threads here and I'm feeling a bit better already now that I am resting my arm on two pillows in my lap.

I bought some Oval 8s but I can't figure out how to use them. I think I have two problems (beyond the weakness): 1 - my forefinger has trouble maintaining the curve needed for typing; 2 - the knuckles at the base of the fingers hyperextends easily and I think that makes it worse.

How do I find a hand OT who knows what they're doing? I'm willing to go out of town. Should I call all the offices and ask, "How many PALS have you guys worked with?" (Mine: zero.)

 

[lgelb]

Did you look at something like the ErgoRest line on Amazon? When you can adjust the arm position, you can sometimes compensate for finger impairment. But certainly finger splints or tape may help as well.

For an OT/PT that knows something, I'd look at the directories and find one with spinal cord injury, .ALS and/or assistive technology in their profile. A CHT (Certified Hand Therapist) would be nice but not necessary.

 

[swalker]

I am very fortunate to have a wife that is not only a physical therapist, but also one who specializes in hands. Coincidentally, she had seen several ALS patients before I was diagnosed.

I don't know how to find someone with such a magic combination of talent and experience. I guess you can say I just married right.

Look for a hand clinic. A general PT or OT clinic is not likely to employ a hand specialist. Many will have folks that work on hands, but you want someone that specializes in hands. Their knowledge of hands is probably of more importance than their knowledge of ALS. You can help teach them about ALS, but not sufficiently about hands.

My hands tend to curl up. My wife is insistent that I passively stretch them throughout the day. I do this regularly. It does not alter the strength I have in my hands, but does prevent them from becoming permanently curled. When not doing those stretches, my hands spend most of the time curled up.

I have tried many, many different types of keyboards. I finally discovered that what works for me is a wireless keyboard that has a very light touch. I like the Logitech K260 keyboards. They just seem to work for me. Over time, their keys seem to get stiffer (or perhaps I get weaker). I find replacing them with new keyboards periodically helps. You may find a different keyboard works best for you. The idea is to try many.

I used to be an expert typist. I worked in a world full of people on keyboards. I was generally among the fastest and most accurate, though there were certainly a few others that could compete with me. Now, I am a slow, plodding typist that makes many mistakes. I fail to sufficiently press keys on a regular basis. I have to carefully proofread everything. Even then, I have grown accustomed to sending out messages with errors.

Steve

 

[MupstateNY]

Based on my reading here the other day, I raised the R armrest on my office chair, and put a pillow on it. It's helping.

I found a powerpoint online that suggested swapping the two mouse buttons. I'm going to try this because my middle finger is stronger than index.

Directories? Is this covered in the Resources here?

I can't find the Logitech K260.

Forgot to say I don't like the number pad -- would prefer "compact" so no number pad on the right.

My biggest challenge is the Y. Close second: the H. Maybe I should remap them somehow.

Steve, your post was super-clean.

How can I turn on a spell checker here?

Thanks to all.

 

[lgelb]

You can certainly remap keys and do lots more customization with keyboard and trackpad utilities. If your fingers are weak, a trackpad instead of a regular mouse would be one place to start. Or a Bluetooth keyboard that supports taps.

Windows or Mac computer? There are many alternative keyboards -- one handed, smaller for two hands, don't need number pad, bigger keys...this post is somewhat dated but has a few of the options.

Fentek has a good selection. Watch out for assistive technology sites that tend to up-price. Ultimately, you may choose to dictate by voice and perhaps later use an ability switch, tongue mouse, eye gaze, or head control to control a traditional or virtual keyboard.

Remember, you can also control a computer with a virtual keyboard on a phone or tablet. May not be easier for you, but worth mentioning for others.

 

[swalker]

It looks like the K260 has been discontinued. I have 3 of the K260 keyboards in service. I also have a K270 which works just the same (for me) as the K260. Amazon has the MK270 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo for less than $25.

Oddly enough, the spare keyboard I keep (which was in an unopened box until a couple of minutes ago) was purchased from Walmart and is labeled as a Logitech Wireless Combo on the box. There is no mention of k270 on the box. On the back of the physical keyboard, there is a k270 label.

I am not specifically recommending those keyboards, just reporting that the K260 and K270 work for me (I currently have 4 in use on various computers plus the spare). I recommend trying many keyboards to find one that works for you.

When I am on the road, I use a bluetooth wireless keyboard to type on my phone. The original one I purchased is no longer available on Amazon. I recently purchased a backup for it. The backup appears to be identical, but is a different brand. The backup one is an Arteck Ultra-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard Compatible with iPad iOS Android and Windows. The feel of that one is not as good for me as the Logitech ones mentioned above, but the Arteck does not have a number pad. What I don't like about it is that it has a battery compartment that lifts the back side of the keyboard up. Early in my career my wife warned me against doing that. The Logitech keyboard has little legs that can optionally be extended to raise the back of the keyboard. I always leave them folded up.

Positioning my arm correctly (especially the right one) is essential for effective keyboarding now. Glad to hear it is helping you as well.

It is not a surprise to hear you report that the y and h keys are problematic ones. Given how you described your index finger, I thought that might be likely.

As for spell check, spell check is enabled in the form I am using to type this reply (Windows 10, google Chrome). I don't recall doing anything to enable it.

Steve

 

[MupstateNY]

Partial progress: I'm currently looking at ortholinear. The Y and backspace will not be so far away. Also considering 40% keyboard. My hands are not huge and I'm hoping I'll still be able to touchtype. I suppose that if I go to 40% I would probably do better with a split keyboard.

Picture of ortholinear:

For ortholinear, I would have to learn about "levels." I find this rather daunting. I hope one of my children will help.

After I progress more, I think maybe I should go to a one-handed keyboard. Apparently a touchtypist can get the hang of it quite quickly. You press some special key each time you need to type one of the right side letters. It's arranged as a mirror image apparently.

It's really frustrating how little information there is on the web about keyboards for ALS.

 

[Clearwater AL]

I'm typing now with just my right hand... never was a good typist so it's a clumsy task for me now.
It takes longer, rather than keeping the post window open, correcting numerous times (like now
I type it out on Word, make numerous corrections, then paste it here. Maybe not for you two but
others who may read this. Ones longer than this one.

Just a thought...

 

[MupstateNY]

Clearwater, did you touch-type previously?

My spouse has written or co-authored almost 300 scientific articles by HUNTING AND PECKING. I find it hard to believe but it's true. However, I personally would rather not to have to hunt and peck.

There is at least one keyboard you can buy which allows you to touchtype with one hand, Clearwater. Would that make sense for you?

By the way, Clearwater, I don't know if you've ever noticed, but gmail offers suggestions which you can accept by hitting Tab, and its spell checker is amazing. It offers you a suggested correction which in my experience is correct 99% of the time. Not just the spelling of a word, but it analyzes the syntax and even notices when you have a tiny word missing. To accept the correction, it's ONE click.

I just made a cursory test of Google Docs to see if their spell checker is similar. So far, so good. But I had to turn it on first: Tools -> Spelling and Grammar -> and there I had to turn on spelling and grammar suggestions. (MS Word's grammar check just gets on my nerves.)

Clearwater, how's your voice? I wonder if you'd be comfortable doing speech to text.

I wish I could figure out which one will become unusable for me first -- typing or speaking.

 

[Clearwater AL]

Thanks for the tips, I have good spell checkers. It's hitting the wrong key, Spell Checker
has to have something close to correct. As this progresses along I put off as much help -
devices as possible. Finally had to give into the chair lift and using the wheel chair more
and more. Like a Neuro told me... "Use it or lose it... sooner... but don't over do it" I apply
that to most everything now. Maybe some would disagree... I won't give in until I
no longer can do whatever safely and or for my immediate health. (One thing that bugs
me now is when I go to some stores I have to find the damned elevator which is usually
somewhere in the back of the store. I miss just getting on the escalator. But... I always try
to remember there are PALS far worse than I am so far.)

Again, thanks for the suggestions... in time.

 

[MupstateNY]

I don't know if you've ever tried the "suggestions" in gmail, but for that feature you can hit any random letter instead of something close, and almost all the time it finds the solution.

I wonder whether swalker's speech to text idea would be comfortable for you? (I have slurring and stamina problems with my voice, so I don't think that's going to be the solution for me.)

 

[Clearwater AL]

I don't use Gmail, I closed the account. I am with a Network that has an excellent spam filter.
Gmail, for me, too much spam passed through to my inbox. My network has the fewest
hacks. Now I just use that. So far no speech problems... maybe in time. The past year my
progression has taken an considerable upswing following a 5 day stay in the hospital.

My Email address with the network is short and simple... had it for years. I appreciate all
the suggestions you give and to so many others on various topics.

 

[MupstateNY]

Clearwater, I would be interested in that network, if it's open to any tom dick or harry.

By the way, you wouldn't have to use a gmail account for sending and receiving email, if you just wanted to use it for the incredible spellchecker.

- - - - -

It's looking like the ortholinear keyboard is not going to work for me, sadly. So I'm now thinking I should find an affordable keyboard where I can swap the Y with something I rarely use. I think that will be called a hotkey. So frustrating that this hasn't been solved yet.

The other idea I had was to just shift my right hand home row over to HJKL with fingers 1-2-3-4. The Y would be much easier that way. Then I'd just need to do something funky for the punctuation and ( ), [ ]. And I'd have to retrain myself.

 

[Clearwater AL]

No, it's my local provider and internet security. Me and my daughter were hacked a few years ago. I belong to military web sites... info i don't want out anywhere. I've closed the Gmail account... no desire to open it again. To me, it's as risky as the old AOL Email. Again to me, Gmail security is like a screen door on a submarine. That's just my opinion.
There are a few things I know about.

Thanks for more advice/suggestions. Best wishes to the New Year.

PS. If folks are happy with their Gmail account and the info they put out there... fine.
Gmail is huge. There's an old rule in the military, (my days)... the bigger the operation... the risk factor for flaws
increases greatly. Our current government/military/security has been hacked even so. I watch the news...
won't be surprised for "Breaking News" concerning Gmail someday.. Just me.

Ok, I'll wrap it up here. Best wishes to all for the New Year.

 

[MupstateNY]

Good points there, Clearwater.

I think I heard that the Pentagon or something similar was hacked once because of some compromised flash drives sprinkled all over the parking lot. And the only reliable solution the IT people found was to fill the USB ports with glue so people wouldn't be tempted to use them.

Happy New Year as well.

I've made some progress, apparently there are programs for remapping keys. Now I need to figure out which key to repurpose as a Y.