In April I fell off my bicycle while pedalling home from work. While I was not riding fast when I did it, I landed very awkwardly and suffered multiple fractures to my humerus and collarbone.
However, the greatest damage now turns out to have been caused to the nerves to my left arm originating at the neck/spine. Cutting a long story short I am unable to grip or hold with my left hand. It is still unclear how permanent this damage will be.
Being denied my hobby has been a bitter pill, but in one of life's "Eureka!" moments I figured out a way of painting (and even minor converting) of figures with my one good hand. It works best with the very light, plastic figures. My hoard of Airfix figures has really saved my sanity. I have been tinkering with the WW1 Germans and Cowboys to produce this command stand for the Franco Prussian war as a bit of fun.
For the foreseeable future all efforts will be concentrated on my Airfix ACW project situated here:
http://airfixacwproject.blogspot.co.uk/
I hope to revisit "In the Grand Manner" in the New Year, but in the meantime please feel free to pop over and see how I get on in model soldier "rehab".
Regards to all,
Matt
11 comments:
Matt, that's really wonderful work. That WW1 German Officer was always one of my favourite Airfix figures. Great stuff.
Ian
Thanks Ian!
Really sorry to hear that, but you seem to be in good shape and mood which is excellent news in the path to a full recovery. Best of luck and be strong!!
Ouch - sounds nasty. Good to hear you're on the mend.
Figures look very good Matt - delighted that you are able to start painting again - that will do you the world of good.
Rock on!
Excellent painting on those figs!!!
Cheers
paul
Sorry to hear about your recovery issues. I had a similar experience after a pair of strokes and lost a good bit of control of my left side. I rigged several different types of model clamps which helped and I found painting to be a great form of therapy.
The best clamp was the simplest and involved lots of duct tape and oversized wing nuts, which I could nudge and eventually grasp.
Best of luck with your recovery - for my attitude was a more important factor than anything else
Miles
Thanks chaps!
Miles-I have a simple method for painting-several of figures stuck to card strips. A "bulldog" clip at either end. paint one side as they lie on the table, flip over and do the other! For converting i put the individual figure in a bulldog clip, cut off and superglue to hold new heads etc temporarily and then use a pyrogravure to weld it on properly when dry!
Plus never say die!
Great news, Matt! I look forward to seeing your re-discovered talents.
You'll be like Nelson learning to write with his left hand. Practice makes perfect!
Fantastic work on these guys Matt. Very well done.
Hi Matt
Its really good to see you are well on the road to recovery and able to produce such wonderful little vignettes with old Airfix figures. I'd vote the mounted Prussian 'best use of an Airfix cowboy' yet seen!
I also used the hobby to help recover from a severe illness a few years ago so keep up the recovery work and keep posting the results.
All the best mate.
Cheers,
Doc
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