The Hand Amplified Team’s Story…

Did you know that the human thumb accounts for 40% of your total hand function, and is so important that a specialised surgeon can skillfully transfer your big toe to make up for a lost thumb?  Also, the thumb has become the most used 👍 emoji and is clicked an astonishing 3.2 billion times every single day?

My love and appreciation for the thumb and human hand has started 19 years ago during my Physiotherapy studies at the University of Pretoria.  The fuel that ignited this passion (all things hands) was a failed third year clinical (prepared) examination when I decided to ask a hand injured patient to be part of my assessment/treatment.  She agreed and provided consent.  I felt so confident and excited prior, during and after our session, and even had a stress ball for her to squeeze.  The result of the examination was a shock!  I had to retake the examination; I failed!  What did I do incorrectly?  Sleepless nights led to another examination and after passing my third year, the reflexion continued…From the year 2000, I relentlessly decided to find out why I failed.  Textbooks were studied, knowing the hand’s anatomy of by heart; wanting to know more about a single topic.

Now I realise how wonderful, beautiful and complex the human hand is.  It is endowed with a fine balance between bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons, sheaths, skin, nerves…

The human spirit once pushed to its outermost limits, amidst fear and disappointment, can result in something that is far more than self-serving it is about serving others.  The only way for me to express my gratitude towards our Creator, for guidance and creating this masterpiece, is to share this knowledge.

The Helping Hand Amplified Team a Non-Profit Organisation is the result of my own rising as well as a close friendship with Aneska Joubert.  Together, with our individual strengths, platforms were created to serve others. The two main goals are; improving literacy among disadvantaged scholars with special emphasis on hand development linked with literacy and then sharing knowledge freely with Physiotherapists and Occupational therapists regarding hand therapy and how they should look after their own hands in both occupations.

Visit www.helpinghandamplified.co.za and leave a message with details how we can help or answer a question, related to our goals.

Much love and healthy hand wishes,

Monique Keller