I have a question for you all.... I know that so many of us value the use of our hands articulately not just gross motor and I want to know how you cope when you have things that are not an option but a must and your hands dont work with you. I have two hearing impaired children and while I was sitting in sign language class last night it hit me... my fingers wont move like this some times! I could sign something to them that is totally wrong because my fingers wont bend or open to show the right sign! What do you do when your fine motor in your hands is your means of communication?Wow. That is a problem that I have never once considered. I wonder if an occupational therapist would have some solution for that. I'd never thought about that before either, and I have an adult stepdaughter who's hearing impaired (although she lip reads and speaks, so we don't sign). I don't know how old your children are, but maybe you could develop a special shorthand with them, like when you're signing and your fingers won't open up, you rotate your head up at the same time, or if they won't close you rotate your head down. Just some additional "sign" to let them know you're having trouble with your fingers, and they need to do a little extra interpreting. Alternatives like writing and typing might not be ideal with your hands not cooperating, but some days that might be better than signing. The only other idea I have is some kind of flash cards. I feel for you, this is a difficult problem to have. I have been fortunate so far in that my hands will still move, even if it hurts. On the few occasions where they just haven't worked at all, someone else has had to help me out. Is there a hearing/signing member of your family that could act as interpreter some times?good point!