Block shears
Author: Karen Mee
Mother
Cutting is a skill that every child needs to practice a lot. For Lin, it is even more difficult. Due to her dyskinetic uncontrolled movements, it is a pretty dangerous undertaking. Now, Lin really likes cutting. Fortunately, there is a way to cut for her: the block scissors.
We are sitting at the table with a whole pile of paper in front of us. From newspapers to flower paper, from white sheets to advertising leaflets. "That one," says Lin as she points to a piece of newspaper. There is a photo in the newspaper and we are going to cut it out.
I place the scissors in front of Lin's nose. With her left hand she can press on the top of the scissors while she can slide the paper in with her right. I guide her right hand because this is her most difficult hand and we don't want to lose a piece of her finger.
Piece by piece we cut along the edge of the photo. Lin, in utmost concentration, presses the scissors every time I say it is possible (and safe).
Because the scissors open by themselves and stand quite firmly on the table due to their weight, cutting with these scissors could also be done with one hand.
Lin looks proudly at her cut-out photo. Together we stick it on a sheet of white paper and Lin draws something around it. 'For daddy,' she says. And when daddy comes back from shopping, she happily gives him her craftwork. And she clearly states: 'cut it myself, all by myself!'
Unfortunately, cutting it yourself does come with a price tag, but it is a pair of scissors that she could use her entire life. And that's why I think the scissors are more than worth it because of the possibilities that Lin gets from it.
