Allow me to introduce to you my handsome sons. They along with my two daughters are a source of a great deal of pride and joy in my life. I learn from them every day and I continue to be challenged by their fresh ideas. This is a picture taken of them in Afghanistan, as they were on a trek. My sons, who recently took a trip around the world and came home safe and sound after my fervent prayers, with interesting insights giving me a another thought(if you have been reading this blog for a while you know how my mind wonders) and another idea on how to combat bladder infections.
My wonderful sons had much to learn in the eastern part of the world about the use of the right and left hands. One son had a close call. He was newly arrived in India busily arranging his sleeping area when a person arrived to welcome him. My son’s right hand was full so he extended his left hand in greeting. The welcoming man was so offended he prepared to punch my son in the mouth. Luckily he was quick on his feet…This was the first time he had even heard of the custom of the right hand for eating and the left hand for the toilet. Now we all know!
Around the world this practice exists.
In Islamic culture, the practice of eating is intrinsically linked to the practice of faith. The prophet Muhammad was reported to have said: "When any one of you eats, let him eat with his right hand, and when he drinks, let him drink with his right hand, because the Shaytaan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand." In Islam, Shaytaan is the devil. Muslims, therefore, use the right hand to eat because the left hand is reserved for matters of hygiene, such as going to the toilet or blowing the nose, and is therefore considered to be unclean.
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I use a catheter to pee several times a day because I have a neurogenic bladder. I am always on the lookout for ideas to combat bladder infections. Keeping the hands separate seems so smart to me. There is a risk of e-coli for me in using the same hand to cath that I use to…well….wipe with. I wish I was not so dependent on my right hand. I spend a great deal of time washing my hands but the practice of using different hands is so practical. Another reason why I like the idea is because I work at a school. I sit close to the students and we share pencils, pens and computer keyboards all day.
When I go to the nurse’s office to relieve myself sure I wash my hands before hand but how clean do I really get them? I know I do not scrub the recommended 20 seconds that they teach the people that get their food handlers permit. I feel rushed to get to the next class.
So what if I make an effort not to use my left hand for much, just cathing during the day. I could then save my right hand for instruction, writing examples and the rest? I wonder if that would help keep infection down. What do you think?
ANOTHER TRAVEL STORY
Too bad I don"t have three hands!!
Just a thought, more later...