Supramarginal Gyrus
I noticed at some point that I have a fairly common problem (among women) that I have difficulty distinguishing correctly between right and left. I will say "left" but point "right". I cannot accurately tell you which direction right and left are, without careful consideration.
For example, if you hold up a hand and ask me which one you are holidng up, I will have to consciously say, "Let's see. My right hand is the one I use to pick up a pen. That is... this hand. Yes, I can move my hand to pretend it holds a pen, and it feels natural. Now, that is my right hand as I say. This hand is on the opposite side from someone who is facing me. Or is it the same side if they are facing away? I can't remember. Let me turn around to face the same direction they are facing and try to mimic what this person is doing. OK. Now, that is my hand that holds pens, and it is not the same side that the other person is holding up, so the answer is... I think left? Because left is the opposite of my writing hand. I think. I'm not sure."
I learned about this defect in a college cognitive course, and was embarassed and ashamed to admit that I am, essentially, "functionaly directionally challenged". I can correctly give instructions by drawing a map. I can correctly read maps. I can correctly point out which way to turn if asked where something is. But I cannot, for example, tell you to "Turn right" or "The map says to turn east if we are heading south". I can only articulate, "Turn this way [pointing]", or "If I turn the map upside down so that south is forward, then you turn this way [pointing]." I have no idea which way turns go.
As a child, this manifested itself by being unable to give correct instructions. For example, I would confidently give directions home using "right", "left" and anyone who followed would be hopelessly lost. I was unable to tell you directly which hand I wrote with (although I could raise it quickly). I did not realise that there was even a distinguishing feature called "right" or "left" "handedness". I could throw a ball with the same hand a hundred times, but never could tell you that I was "right handed".
To this day, I am still ashamed and hide my deficit by pointing and not venturing into the words or concepts right, left, east, or west.
For example, if you hold up a hand and ask me which one you are holidng up, I will have to consciously say, "Let's see. My right hand is the one I use to pick up a pen. That is... this hand. Yes, I can move my hand to pretend it holds a pen, and it feels natural. Now, that is my right hand as I say. This hand is on the opposite side from someone who is facing me. Or is it the same side if they are facing away? I can't remember. Let me turn around to face the same direction they are facing and try to mimic what this person is doing. OK. Now, that is my hand that holds pens, and it is not the same side that the other person is holding up, so the answer is... I think left? Because left is the opposite of my writing hand. I think. I'm not sure."
I learned about this defect in a college cognitive course, and was embarassed and ashamed to admit that I am, essentially, "functionaly directionally challenged". I can correctly give instructions by drawing a map. I can correctly read maps. I can correctly point out which way to turn if asked where something is. But I cannot, for example, tell you to "Turn right" or "The map says to turn east if we are heading south". I can only articulate, "Turn this way [pointing]", or "If I turn the map upside down so that south is forward, then you turn this way [pointing]." I have no idea which way turns go.
As a child, this manifested itself by being unable to give correct instructions. For example, I would confidently give directions home using "right", "left" and anyone who followed would be hopelessly lost. I was unable to tell you directly which hand I wrote with (although I could raise it quickly). I did not realise that there was even a distinguishing feature called "right" or "left" "handedness". I could throw a ball with the same hand a hundred times, but never could tell you that I was "right handed".
To this day, I am still ashamed and hide my deficit by pointing and not venturing into the words or concepts right, left, east, or west.
posted by T. Pascal | 1:00 PM
1 Comments:
This might help you some.
1. Extend the thumb and forefinger on both hands.
2. Extend your arms in front of you.
3. The hand which makes an 'L' is the left one.
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