Disabilities (EVEN MINOR) and modeling?

this is a serious post, don't flame me.

Not to be an asshole, but I've been blessed with far better than average eyesight, extremely good eye hand coordination, and finger dexterity (it's just my typing that sucks!).

I've recently read posts from people who are discussing arthritis, poor eyesight, bad dexterity, etc. Has anyone ever done a study or published an article on what happens to modelers who have disabilties? Do any of you have any disabilities? How have you overcome them?

We all know about superglued fingertips, but what of not hav- ing fingertips at all.? Being a teacher I know a lot about kids with disabilities and how to deal with them and work around their problems. I'm just curious if anyone has any information about modeling _IN_ _PARTICULAR_ and disabilites.

Reply to
Drew Hill
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I've got advanced emphysema (a genetic disorder), so, among other things, I have to be extremely careful at airbrushing time, must stick to acrylics, superglue/liquid cement can get me coughing/wheezing, ...

My doc can think of better hobbies, but to me, it's ideal for someone with mobility difficulries.

Bradman

Reply to
Don Watters

Don't know if it counts towards what you're looking for, but when I was a kid, my buddy's uncle had one of the best and most detailed railroad set-ups that I've ever seen. "O" guage (1:48+/-) with a lot of scratch-built structures and settings. The guy that built this was in his fifties and and had life-long Cerebal Palsey. I asked him once (having NO fache) how he did it. After a minute or so, he slowly answered: "Patience."

Reply to
Old Timer

The first person I met who was disabled had a relatively minor disability- he was color-blind. He just couldn't understand what was wrong with his color choices- he didn't just read the labels and paint what the plans suggested. He painted models with what looked good to him. He got a lot of ribbing, but took it good-naturedly.

In a more serious vein, I know of several modelers who are confined to wheel chairs. Another couple of elderly ones who can walk, but have either emphysema, or heart problems and have to carry bottles of oxygen with them to club meetings.

I've known one with a hand missing. He was, in my estimation, the one most handicapped in his modeling.

Reply to
Don Stauffer in Minneapolis

Advanced Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in both hands. I can' hold and sand things for very long before the digits get numb!

Reply to
The Model Hobbit

Does AMS count!

Reply to
The Model Hobbit

Hearing loss, requiring hearing aids in both ears is not a disability for modeling; in fact, turning down/off the aids reduces issues of compressor/wife noise during modeling sessions. Reduced vision,requiring trifocals, is a pain in the butt. Have you ever tried to use a headband magnifier with trifocals?

Reply to
Larry Farrell

I'll have to second here - I know a guy whom is colorblind and relies completely on using the FS color standard for "getting it right" and he does a fine job of building and painting.

An I also know another guy with degenrative arthritis whom is probably the best scratch builder and prototyper I am eve likely to meet in my limited circles within the hobby.

So I've got a new question for you - if they are enjoying the hobby, and are even doing standout work, are they really "disabled"?..

Reply to
Rufus

I'm a modeler because I had, as a child, what is called a fine motor lag- my coordination developed late and not actually properly. My typing is pretty hilarious, especially when you consider that I used to teach keyboarding. My dad got me started building models when our doctor suggested getting me doing something requiring fine movements that I would actually do, instead of reading voraciously (starting at age 3, that's what caused the lag). My work is not particularly good, but I have fun, and I still read voraciously.

Reply to
Jim Atkins

wow, my long lost brother...i had pnemonia when i was 4 and only had adult science fiction books in the hospital, (military hospital, nurenburg). started reading clarke and heinlein. started building models because i was "clumsy". very strange to know soemone else has been there. thought i was a total wierdo.

Reply to
e

I really didn't know the fine points of this until recently- i'm taking a series of classes on Gifted Ed for a certificate on my credential- my prof from CSU San Bernardino told me how this stuff worked. A lot of gifted males have this problem, I gather.

Reply to
Jim Atkins

i wonder if early reading adds to being intolerant of other children? i didn't like other kids because they were kids and boring. i had more fun reading.

Reply to
e

I know several modellers with various disabilities that would stop most of us from enjoying the hobby. One is an A grade modeller who all respect. He now has Parkinsons but is leaving us awed as his determination AND the fact his models have not dropped in quality at all.

Reply to
The Raven

Eyesight is shot ,I need to use a magnifying light and glasses to do small detail stuff

Reply to
nospam

Hm. I switched from some computer-related hobby to scale modelling to prevent my RSI from progressing. Seems to have worked (duh, anything that cuts back daily computer use from 12 to 8 hours would help)...

Reply to
Harro de Jong

I use Lacquer Thinner for cleaning my airbrush but the fumes were starting to cause temporary respiratory problems. A guy in my IPMS club recommended using a respirator mask to filter out the paint and thinner fumes. I followed his suggestion and bought a 3M R-6211 Dual Cartridge Respirator (medium) from Lowes for about $30. I couldn't believe the difference it made! You can't smell ANY fumes or paint while airbrushing, painting, or gluing! I HIGHLY recommend using a respirator mask for protecting your health.

I also use a regular surgical mask while filing/sanding to filter out the small airborne particles. You can buy these at many drugstores and medical supply stores. Vinyl gloves also come in handy while painting and cleaning the airbrush. My wife is a nurse and she insists that I use Vinyl gloves instead of Latex because of the potential to develop Latex allergies. In fact, I conned, er I mean, convinced her to pay for my respirator mask after she visited my workshop while I was airbrushing. ;^)

Martin

Reply to
centennialofflight

Shucks, I've never been co-ordinated. I could and sometimes do trip over my own feet. I feel immensely proud of myself when I make a good shift with the gears in the car. It means my foot and my hand worked well together, and with my ear (listening for the revs to hit a certain note). It wasn't something the schools looked for then and I was surprised when they ferreted out my son's dopplic-ness. It might help explain why gym class was such a royal PITA for me.

As to knowing a person with disabilities, I only know her through the computer but there's a woman who builds fabulous car models and sells them through E-bay. She is an occasional poster at the Hobby Heaven message board and she has neuropathy in her hands. That she can do that much better than I ever will and has to fight with that problem is a little intimidating and a lot inspiring.

Bill Banaszak, MFE

Reply to
Mad Modeller

I have Multiple Sclerosis, but just enjoy what I can do, no good worrying over what I can't do.

I am trying at the moment to try and get magazines to stop printing on glossy paper as I can not read them unless under normal lighting. Some magazines are now thinking of releasing them as PDF's and I welcome that wholeheartedly, god send to me.

The disability law in the UK now says that alternatives have to be sought.

Seize the day, and move forward...

Dale

Reply to
Dale Clarke

This was actually a really good question.

As for me my eyes have been going bad for a long time now and I keep having to have more and more light in order to see what it is that i'm trying sooo very hard to work on. The Glasses have gotten a Lot thicker of time as well. If i'm out side and tending to my Pepper plants i've got to be careful if the Sun is behind me. There is a very real danger that I will start to burn the leaves if I stay still too Long. .... LOL If I have to I could use the one Lense to start a fire if I had to , well it seems that they're more than plenty thick enough to do that with anyway.

I also have Asthma and have to be careful with spraying as well and some times the glue seems to make me start to wheeze a little. Sometimes when i'm sanding a lot at one time I us one of those throw-away masks. Does anyone else use the little throw-away mask for their work too.

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Reply to
cyberborg 4000

I use both a repsirator when painting and a throw away mask when sanding.

Reply to
Ron

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