How To Tie Your Shoes (as a below the elbow-barely above the elbow amputee)
As children get older, they inevitabely need to learn to tie their shoes unless they want to wear velcrow (which is a good solution for many). Here are to methods on how to tie your shoes as a below the elbow or barely above the elbow amputee.
METHOD #1- The Easier Way
(new shoe laces are required)
- Put both laces in one hand and pull.
- Cross the laces over to opposite sides. Put one lace over, around, then under the other to make a loose knot.
- Put pressure on one side using the amputed arm. Pull with the other hand. Now you have a tighter knot.
- Repeat steps 2-3 again. You should end with two knots.
- Take the tip of the lace from one side in your hand. Thread the tip through the knot. Do the same to the other lace.
- To make this so that it won’t fall out, tie the loops in a knot. Do this by folding one knot in, taking the other loop over it, then through the gap between the two loops. Tighten the knot as you did with the laces in step 3. You have tied your shoes!
METHOD #2- More complicated
- Perform steps 1-3 above to make a knot.
- Using your full hand, on the side of the amputation, make a loop. Hold it in place by putting your amputated arm on top of where the lop starts, pushing the laces into the shoe.
- Make on loop on the other side and hold it.
- Cross that loop over the origanal loop. Hold both loops in place using your amputated arm again.
- Take the origanal loop in your hand. Wrap it over the other loop and pull it through the space between the two loops. You should still be holding the laces with your arm.
- Now readjust your arm so that it is pressing against the loop of one side. Grab the loop and lace on the other side. Pull. It is now tightened! You tied your shoe!
- To make this last longer, make a double knot by follow step 8 of method 1.
Tying your shoes may be difficult at first, but anyone can learn. It just takes practice. Don’t give up. Remember- practice makes perfect!