Dooley Noted: 5/31/2016
People that watch me type are easily fascinating by my process.
They give me the same look, for 23 years running:
It always begs, “This highly educated woman uses two fingers to type?”
I skipped typing class to work in journalism. After all, our advisor for the paper used two fingers to type – at lightning speed.
So, as a form of meditation and general challenge, I am learning to type.
I realize with these challenging efforts that I have not developed the typical motor learning of typing.
I watch others, just as fascinated with their typical typing as they look at my two-finger method.
These typing lessons reiterate that more than one method exists to motor learning.
Difficulty exists in adopting a new method after decades of perfecting one.
Yet throughout my day, I visually dissect the motor control patterning adopted by my patients.
And for each patient, I encourage them to adopt a new way of motor learning to execute tasks.
After decades of taking one path, conversion to a new way of moving is very challenging.
But it’s 100% probable you can create massive changes with the adoption of new ways of learning.
Is it easier for me to type with two fingers?
Yes.
Does it set me up for failure if anything happens to my index fingers?
Yes.
As I adopt new motor learning, I hope you do the same.
And if you’re in pain or discomfort because of the old pattern, then you can absolutely learn a new way of moving that doesn’t cause you pain.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley
