Writing is a struggle when I must hunt and peck the keys. It’s physically challenging and mentally challenging. It took three or four moments longer than usual to tap out the first several words of this paragraph, today.
The reason for this temporary state of physical manipulation has to do with a 5-in-one painter’s tool and four stitches on the middle finger of my left hand. Lets just say the finger was in the wrong place when the 
tool skipped over a hardened blob of wood putty while I was shaping a repair of the weather-damaged window sill. I wasn’t fully present in the moment.
After the severe bleeding temporarily stopped, a trip across town to the “Urgent Care Clinic” and their skilled work, the finger is in healing mode. I was advised to limit use of my left hand.
I’ve gained a renewed sense of appreciation for having operational fingers–all of them. This is brought into clear focus as my index fingers hunt and peck the keyboard. The mental aspect comes into play when my thoughts vanish during the process of hitting the wrong keys and accidentally setting “Caps Lock” when reaching for “a”. Then an entire word or phrase must be retyped. It doesn’t help matters that a few keys of the old laptop are stubborn. Writing by hunt and peck is like eating with chopsticks for the first time. I don’t mean to complain; these are merely observations.
This temporary set-back brings to mind my late best-friend Jerry. He was born without thumbs and had abbreviated fingers on his hands. Jerry said he was one of those Thalidomide babies who were born in the late 1950s. He was the only person I recall ever using the term 
“compensative creativity”. Jerry once joked that he could get away with any crime because he wouldn’t leave any thumb-prints behind.
Jerry did a great job of compensating for his condition. He cued up records on turntables during his afternoon radio shows without missing a beat. Off duty, he loved to tinker with car engines and handyman projects around his home. All things considered, Jerry was a very creative guy. I learned a lot about life from him.
“Compensative creativity”, if that is an actual term, could be better described by medical professionals and their patients and clients. I’ll leave such articles to people who are knowledgeable regarding such cases. I’m just passing along a few casual observations as I struggle to complete today’s post.
Ciao
The Blue Jay of Happiness quotes fast-food tycoon, Ray Kroc. “Creativity is a highfalutin word for the work I have to do between now and Tuesday.”
Awesome quote to end the story. Hope you get well soon!
Thanks.
So sorry to hear of your mishap. Reminds me of the time when I worked at Sherwood Medical. My right hand was in the wrong place and the machinery broke my right wrist. I became a “lefty” for six weeks. It was an interesting challenge. 😥 I hope you aren’t in too much pain.
The bright side is that I felt absolutely no pain whatsoever, the knife-tool is very sharp. The most discomfort I felt was the stitching procedure and the prick of the tetanus shot. Thanks. I tend to heal rather quickly.
Hunt and peck is my compensative creativity for dropping out of typing class in high school.
I used to work with a newsman who never learned touch-typing. He could hunt and peck with his two index fingers faster than most folks touch-type. It was spellbinding to watch him compose stories.
Cool story. That’s wonderful.
Grin
I forgot to mention that he could talk on the phone and watch the clock for the end of commercial breaks whilst typing that way. It was astonishing to see.
Guffaw!
Interesting.
I have had similar experiences because of losing the use of my right ✋ from MS stuff.
I can totally relate.
It gets easier and easier don’t you think? I hardly notice it now.
Ten years since my onset episode.
My brain has compensated in amazing ways.
It’s quite wonderful how we are made to do that I think.
I’m extremely grateful.🌻
You expressed this ability eloquently.
Thank you my friend ☺️