Since several of us at Greater Waterbury Imaging Center are ‘lefties’ we like to celebrate being a lefty in the month of August. The official left handers Day is August 13 and has been celebrated for the past 24 years. It’s a chance to proudly acknowledge our left-handedness and raise awareness of the everyday issues that lefties face since we live in a world which is designed for right-handers. Here are some interesting facts about being left-handed and if you want to know more, visit the Left Handers website. Also see the article on the Huffington Post about being a leftie and the research behind it:
Huffington Post Article on 11 Facts about being Left Handed
- About 13% of the population around the world are left handed
- Left-handedness does tend to run in families so there may be a gene
- The brain is “cross-wired” so that the right hemisphere controls the left handed side of the body and vice-versa
- Hand dominance is connected with brain dominance on the opposite side so being left handed means the right side of your brain is dominant
- 5 of the last 7 presidents were or are left-handed
- Lefties hear speeches differently than righties
- Lefties were in the minority in the Neanderthal days too
- Your handedness may determine your health
- Lefties may make better innovators and be more creative
- Lefties may have the advantage in sports
If you are a lefty or know a lefty, celebrate this not so common trait! We also have a case study on MRI of the hand this month.