1) Children’s toys. There have been some positive changes (remember that metal twisty wires that required wire cutters?), but still, I often have trouble getting into toys I buy for the kids. During the clamshell bubble craze, I gashed myself on a regular basis with the molding itself, the scissors or knife I was trying to use in the process. This packaging always seemed to me, to be some kind of cosmic joke or punishment for past sins. My husband is paralyzed on his right side. His sheer brute strength on the left side (from years of using on the left arm/hand) meant that he was in charge of dealing with all clamshell packaging, and most of the wired in packing for toys.

2) Strollers. The open/close mechanism of strollers can be tough for any new parent. Add to that, a new mom with uncooperative, weak, sore hands, and you have a recipe for disaster and tears. I had my hand caught in the vice grip of a stroller closing mechanism, that tore the flesh from my palm, and crushed my hand. My ridiculously over priced stroller was trying to kill me, or at least render me useless and broken. I took it out to the curb.

3) Pots and pans. The sheer weight of high end pots and pans put so much strain on my wrists, that cooking can become more of a chore than need be. I now look for lightweight cookware. Many of us with arthritis, also have pain and weakness in the wrists, so weight matters.

3) Okay, no laughing….but elasticized undergarments! That’s right. Sometimes you want to look super smooth with no undie lines, so you buy serious undergarments. Now, try to pull them up, over, or off of your body. Tough. Now, do it with uncooperative hands. Damn near impossible. This is one I won’t ask someone to help with either. Oh the humanity.

4) Texting. This one may seem nonsensical, but I for one, have numbness in my fingertips. Many people with autoimmune issues have cold, numb fingers. So, texting is like trying to navigate giant gorilla fingers to tie tiny little shoes. That analogy is weird, and I have small hands, but hopefully you get my struggle here. Beyond that, touch screens usually require some heat. Maybe that’s just at my gym, but I can’t get the touchscreens on the cardio equipment to work unless I rub my fingers on something to generate heat first. If you want to experience this somewhat, just put on a pair of thick gloves, and try to text or use any touch screen. That’s how it works without gloves, for those of us with cold, numb fingertips.

5) Water bottles, and other twist tops. Why are they on so tight? I’ve given up too many times to count. If I am alone, I just give up on twist tops that are too tight. Aside from bashing things open with a hammer or cutting with a knife, some things are just impossible.

Karma is a relatively quick and just lady. May those who design without consideration for the user, become disabled with arthritis, and for my added amusement…maybe a persistent itch somewhere unsavory or just unreachable.

Oh, and lest I forget. I would like to give a public thanks to my children, who learned impressively early in life, how to open child proof packaging (including medications). We use the term “mom proof” in our home. Thanks boys.