Hands

In my line of work, I have discovered just how important hands are. They are tools for us. We can use our hands to eat or paint or write or draw. To build or destroy or to protect and in many other ways. Maybe most importantly, I've learned how hands can be used to communicate. We don't even notice it sometimes, but our hands and the way we use them to touch can convey many subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) messages. I'm not just referring to using hands to communicate with sign language or gestures, although I used that method often myself. Sometimes just how we touch can say many things. Tense fingers can say, "I'm stressed" or "I'm nervous". A tentative touch can say, "I'm uncomfortable". I warm, gentle touch can say, "I'm pleased with you." This is especially important to children (and adults) who have to rely on touch as their only means of incoming information such as those who are deafblind.