I hurt my thumb about a year ago and got two consecutive cortisone shots. That fixed the issue for 6 months or so but now my tendon burns when I move it. Deep down I know the cortisone shots dissolved part of my tendon but my doctor is going to confirm the issue this Wednesday. As a result of all this left hand drama I haven’t been doing very many hand related activities.
What does this unchosen privilege look like? My nails are not breaking. I hold my hands up when I walk and sometimes my pinky levitates of the utensil I’m using. I take twice as long to ever so gently pack each one of my items for my sight seeing excursions. I work from home almost everyday. I don’t lift anything over 10 pounds. I don’t use my phone except to addictively play dominoes and I set up an AI texting robot to learn and reply to all my friends’ messages. I have learned to grab things by gracefully cascading my fingers over said object (eye-finger coordination has never been better) instead of jamming my hand into door knobs and fondling around until something clicks. I now choose phycological games over violence – I have learned to talk my way around difficult situations where my hand once provided it’s skill for favor. Diplomacy comes natural to the long-nailed. I am slowly transitioning in to the role of single-handed ruler and I feel entitled to it as it’s my only option to contribute to society since I can no longer wield power tools. I transitioned from doer to observer and service is under my unapologetic scrutiny. All those ig glamour shots of acrylic nails are finally getting the attention they were never able to get from me. I have gotten used to the discomfort of rings, I can even sleep in them.
Anthropological Magical Realism 