Lefties are normally forgotten about, left out, and completely disregarded whenever thinking about their needs in schools. 90% of the population are right handed people, which leaves 10% of people lefties . In school, that leaves roughly 80 kids to be left-handed. Andrew Stiles, an 11th grade student at Carter High School who is a leftie, has shared his struggles with being an outsider.
Andrew shared that “being a left-handed person is good, fun and interesting.” Being left-handed definitely comes with many questions like, “Wait, you’re left-handed?”, “Can you write with your other hand?”, “That’s weird!” Different people, but the same questions occur.
It was also shared that “smudges for days” while writing is probably one of the most annoying things that left-handed people go through, besides the school desks. left-handed people’s hands get tired so easily while writing, especially sitting at these desks for 8 hours.
Mr. Browning, the senior principal who is right handed, stated, “If a student, parent or teacher requests a left-handed desk they can get one.” If you would like a left-handed desk, you can contact Mr. Browning so he can put in a request. It would take roughly about 1 week for it to arrive, and you’re able to get one in every class you have. This includes the 8 periods for the new school year next year.
I also talked with Mrs. Dottely, the senior class English teacher, to get a right handed person’s perspective. She agreed that left-handed students are left out. In Mrs. Dottleys 8 years of teaching, she shared that she has never seen a left-handed desk. She also shared, “I think that I don’t have to think about things the way lefties do.”
Even though being a lefty is tough through many things, I’ve personally adapted to use my right hand for many other things, which makes me ambidextrous. I do struggle as most lefties do, but I can get by fine using my right hand for scissors, throwing and doing various activities in the gym, and sometimes even writing if I ever were to hurt or break my left hand. It’s just preferred to use my left hand.
I may be ambidextrous, but it really is a pain to write in right handed desks, and in notebooks with pens because we smudge everything. The schools have left-handed desks but don’t use them, probably because no one ever had a problem with it until now. left-handed students should still get equal care like anyone else. It’s not thought about, but it would be very much appreciated.
I genuinely advocate that the administration of Carter High School should be inclusive towards left-handed people, and not discriminate. Even though there may be few left-handed students, it doesn’t mean we don’t exist.
Carter Corps News 