Crutch? or walk with crutches?

[dmmetler]

I have a child in my baby/parent class with a family member who uses crutches all the time, and I was asked about this today and had no idea.

[aligreat]

It depends on the type of crutches. Since she always uses them are they the kind that have huge bracelets for the forearms? If so, I would first show the bracelet part on each arm--it would look as if you were pushing up your sleeves. Then I would pantomime gripping both handles, making small arcs going forward.

When it is the kind of crutch that goes into the armpit, you take your non dominant hand in an "S" handshape and put it at the armpit of the dominant hand/arm. With your dominant hand you pantomime gripping the handle and make small arcs going forward.

Some people just use the sign for cane, which is usually done by pantimiming gripping the cane and making small arcs going forward, but some people also draw the shape of the cane using the "FF" classifier.

Hope that helps.

[dmmetler]

They're the forearm type crutches-which is one reason I asked here (the sign on ASLpro looks more like the underarm crutches)-and the parents want to reinforce that this is as normal as putting on your socks and shoes before going outside, for example.

[aligreat]

One thing to help show a child that it is as normal as putting on shoes and socks for this person, might be to point out other things that only some people always use. For example, Mommy wears glasses to help her see better, or Daddy wears a hearing aid to help him hear us.

[ASLReBecca]

They're the forearm type crutches-which is one reason I asked here (the sign on ASLpro looks more like the underarm crutches)-and the parents want to reinforce that this is as normal as putting on your socks and shoes before going outside, for example.

Typically, this is more of a set up. Depends on the age of the child and how many signs he/she already knows. If this were my daughter and I were to explain these crutches, I would say CHILD THERE, WALK? NEED HELP. S-O, USE then mime out the Lofstrand crutches.

Since her brother uses a walker, she understands the difference. She also understands that "brother" has different shoes (AFOs/braces), so she is very much aware of the disability community.

Today she met a blind man (as well as autistic). She went up to him with no help or guidance and put her hand on his. Then she asked him if his eyes hurt. He was quite nice about it and told her NO, I just don't see. She signed to him that she could help him. His deaf partner laughed and then signed to her that the blind man wasn't deaf, he was just blind. She told HIM that the blind man was sitting with the deaf man, so he should know how to sign!:cool:

He liked that explanation and told her it was a good answer!

Grins,
ReBecca