Sometimes life is easy. I have MS, so – like with lots of illnesses – I have good days and bad days. Today is a good day, so I am writing this article about a day last month.

It was Tuesday, and I was struggling to do so many things. The co-ordination, strength and control my right hand was next to useless. I am right-handed so I knew things would be difficult.

It started with getting dressed. I had to find my shoes that just slip-on and have no laces or buckles. Tying up laces would have been a joke, I’m glad I didn’t attempt that one. I didn’t put any make-up on, I like to when I go out, but with one hand that didn’t quite go where I told it to go, I didn’t want to look like a clown!

Breakfast was next. Everything was fine, until I was putting spread on my toast. I dropped the knife twice. My grip just didn’t hold on right. I’ve seen knives that have special grips, that I know would help. But have I got around to getting some? I’ll let you answer that one!

I should have put jam on my toast; I have a gadget that would have helped with that. Well, I have two gadgets actually. The first is a cone shape and is corrugated on the inside. It is made out of a bendy rubber. You hold it over the jar grip and turn. Hey presto, the jar opens easily. This one would not have been right for me on that day. But the other one I have would have been perfect. It is a handle with a strap on one end. You tighten the strap around the lid, then twist. The lid opens.

I made do with my toast and coffee. I only spilt a few coffee granules off the spoon.

I had planned to go to the supermarket that day, and wasn’t going to let my wonky right hand stop me. It is in walking distance, so I set off. No incidents on the way there – phew! I didn’t really have any problems in the store either.

Getting home is always difficult. I use a walking stick to help my balance, but had to hold my stick in the ‘wrong’ hand. Holding it in my right hand just felt awkward and didn’t feel secure at all. My shopping goes on my back in a ruck sack. I find this is the best way, as it keeps me balanced evenly, and leaves my hands free.

Once home with the shopping put away, it was time for a cup of coffee. Yes, you guessed; I poured boiling water on to the floor. I didn’t think. I just grabbed the kettle with my right hand as usual. My hand wasn’t co-ordinated enough to get the water in the cup. I have now bought a kettle tipper. It is just not worth any more near misses. It is great. The best way to describe it is that the kettle fits into a wire cage, that allows you to tip it forward safely.

After a few days, my ‘bad day’ got better and became a good day. I’ve yet to find a decent corkscrew that I can use on those bad days!

Author: Jane