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Saturday, April 28, 2012

Handwriting Impacts.


Does a person’s handwriting say something about him?

Yes and No. For example, Mummy’s handwriting is beautiful and exceptionally neat. Her grocery list looks better than my University Record book. Like her handwriting, she is also systematic, aesthetic and creative. So this handwriting speaks a lot about her I would say. But then take my Papa’s or husband’s handwriting and going by the pace and illegible letters, one might think they are terrorists. But they aren’t – because you should not compare them with terrorists and insult terrorism ;-)

I have inherited just one good thing from all of my predecessors, which is Mummy’s handwriting.** and extending the story of inheritance -  a rare genetic combination of  low attention span, carelessness, short temper and a plethora of genetically transmitted diseases from every other unhygienic ancestor**.  :-) Anyway my handwriting came in handy to my friends who wanted me to write their names on their new notebooks, to write the date and day on the blackboard at school, or the project statistics on the white board at my previous office. Moreover one teacher at my college said that evaluating my answer sheet was a pleasure as it looked neat with outlined diagrams and neat elaborate answers *though she dint mention whether the elaborate answers had any connection to the questions asked*.

But does handwriting really matter? It really does.

So recently, my little one had a fever accompanied with cough and nose block. We took him to the pediatrician, who was well qualified, well behaved and doesn’t prescribe medicines just for the heck of it. He was our favorite until recently he prescribed a cough syrup for our son, and also said ‘This is a seasonal cough. Not severe, so better refrain from antibiotics. I will give you this one, it is for infants’. So we took the prescription to the pharmacy where the pharmacists are usually seasoned readers of doctor’s handwriting.

 And the pharmacist said,’ Amoclan? Its an antibiotic!”

We: But its for our ten month old and doctor specifically said its not an antibiotic!

He: This is Amoclan, it’s a powder to be mixed in water, its taste is not baby friendly, and it is an antibiotic.

We did not buy the medicine and decided to check with the doctor again. Two days passed by and meanwhile the cough got severe. We got an appointment with the doctor again and checked the prescription.

Doctor:’ It is Ambolar Syrup, not Amoclan. ‘

We: K

Okay so Ambolar syrup it was, the label itself had the dosage instructions for babies of every age. May be because we are educated people, and because God was gracious enough we saved ourselves from a wrong medication. What about others? The illiterate, the poor or those in emergency? Couldn’t this have caused more serious issues?

22 comments:

  1. we docs are notorious for our handwriting... and yes, it can really be dangerous in such cases where drugs and medications are involved.

    and i personally do believe that handwritings say a lot about a person.. a fellow blogger had analysed mine a few years ago. sending you the link.
    http://godyears.blogspot.in/2010/05/read-between-lines.html

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  2. Oh yeah I know thats the worst thing about docs. They should type prescriptions and take printouts instead. Just goin to read this link ;-)

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  3. One of my friend is a trained handwriting analyst, and it's shocking how accurate her views are, at times. And blogs should be written in our own handwriting, wouldn't that be more personalized ! :D

    Doctors and their handwriting; foot-steps of one ant running around the page after getting drunk! ;)

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    1. Wow if blogs were handwritten I'd never be a blogger. After dropping the pen and taking on a keyboard, writing is not the same anymore ! And it takes so long to write one sentence completely without spelling mistakes. I wonder how I wrote two essays and answered several other questions in two hours for exams.

      And lol yes about the drunken ants :D

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  4. Anita,

    Witty in the beginning with ending on serious note. Had a good laugh at - because you should not compare them with terrorists and insult terrorism ;-). I fully agree that handwriting of most of the doctors can only be deciphered by them. This reminds me, an old couple received a letter from their doctor son after a very very long time. They could not read it so the father decided to visit a pharmacist to have it read. The pharmacist was very busy. After he was given the letter but before the old man could say anything, he quickly glanced at it and handed over a few strips of tablets plus some bottles of syrups.

    Take care

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    1. Oh no ! Thats so sad when the father cant read son's handwriting. Thats why emails are a blessing. :-) Thanks Jack uncle .

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  5. Good one. Some years back IMA instructed Doctors to use UPPER CASE letters while writing prescription . Good that you checked again :)

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    1. Is it. Thats a goo new info, and I was thinking the same thing. Its a serious danger to have handwriting like that in such a profession when what matters the most is what you write.

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  6. :O ... I think Doctors should have handwriting classes . Hope little kiddo is alright. And yeah typed out prescriptions are a good idea.
    Lily

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  7. Anita - I believe this is one of those rare occasions when a pharmacist didnt understand the language that we hardly understand! In my case, I take the prescription from the doctor and blindly hand it over to the pharmacist :D

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    1. Yes, and we are so lucky to have discussed with the pharmacist rather than blindly buying the medicine and force feeding the precious little one.
      So this must be an eye opener for anyone who comes to this bog purposely or by mistake - check with the pharmacist and more importantly, google the prescription ! Ask doubts , use the tongue and the head !

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  8. handwriting is important :( And unfortunately I did not inherit that best thing from my mom. But I am not upset about it, cos I get more marks because of that. The examiner dont understand and with the scribbled keywords here n there, I just manage to score more. Other times, i have had my papers rechecked also :|
    but anyways! nice post! :D

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  9. Thanks :D I seemed to score better cos of my handwriting which was neat ! So the teachers are of different types as well !

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  10. anita when i worked in a mumbai newspaper, v used to receive several letters for publication every day and i used to correct them while travelling in local train..in a very short time, my hwriting started shaking like the trains...now even i cant read what i write..

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    1. hahahaha :D Good you dont have to write exams anymore !

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  11. Even my mum has a clear, nice handwriting...I wont say mine is great but it's legible and well my kids think it's lovely;-P. Most docs have lousy handwriting, sometimes I think they take pride in it;-/. Just once met a doc a dentist who had very clear writing. Thank goodness the pharmacist took interest and shared his doubt with you.

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    1. And about the pharmacist who reverted with his doubts- I dont consider myself lucky for that- well one of the means God works in our lives, I'd say ! God is good all the time na Nancy? Not like us :D Well you note that point, VBS teacher!

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    2. Yes without a doubt........God is so Good to us; every single day I find a 100 reasons to be grateful to Him:-)).

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  12. Ahh! Handwriting...my old nemesis!
    The worst thing was that in school and college, marks were given for that too! Unfair. TOTALLY.

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    1. Fair to people with good handwriting ! :D :D By the way Blunt I am glad you're not a doctor!

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