because of the model A
 

Because of working on the model A, my hands don’t work right. It is almost impossible for me to open a child-proof lid, and I hate ‘em. In this case hate is not too strong a word. This morning, I tried to open a can of white gas and couldn’t because of that damned lid. When I finally got it off, my shoulders and wrists were screaming to beat the band, and I vowed, “Never Again.” I took my pocket knife to that sucker and cut off the child-proof part. It was easy, and I didn’t cut myself. Surprise, surprise!

I probably am going to be arrested for breaking some asinine federal law concerning altering a child-proof lid, but WTF. Those things should be called non-artho caps. That would let everyone who has arthritis to just forget about even trying to open anything with one of those suckers on it.

There, I feel better,

Mike

Re: because of the model A
 

Look into introducing tumeric into your diet.

Re: because of the model A
 

I always cut the plastic part off of that type of cap. You might use channels locs on them in the future.

Re: because of the model A
 

Wingski,

I understand your frustration. Sometimes it's also due to lack of exercise. Working around the yard and the cars can lead to a lot of aches and pains in our muscles and joints.

I was babysitting my grandchildren at my daughter's house recently. Her husband, who is a workout fanatic, left one of those balls you squeeze to build up your grip on the couch. I started squeezing it while I was watching TV. When I woke up the next morning I couldn't move my hand without pain shooting up my wrist. I also lost strength in my hand. I'm lucky I only have osteoarthritis because it went away in a couple of days.

My wife has rheumatoid arthritis. She could drive our Roadster, shift and use the clutch. In the last two years she doesn't have the strength in her joints to turn the steering wheel or use the clutch.

We need to enjoy our cars while we can. I'm glad we bought our car four years ago so she could enjoy driving it for a couple of years before her arthritis got worse.

David Serrano

Re: because of the model A
 

+ 1

Re: because of the model A
 

If it's a prescription bottle you should be able to ask your pharmacist to NOT use child proof caps.

Re: because of the model A
 

Humana give you that option too.

Re: because of the model A
 

I had to ask the VA to send my meds in adult bottles. Those plastic tabs on paint thinner cans, and paint hardener cans get cut off with a razor blade as soon as I get them. Opening a jar of gaterade or cranberry juice is getting more difficult to break the seal. Getting old is not all daisys.

Re: because of the model A
 

Whoever coined the term "Those Happy Golden Years" was color blind. It was RUST not GOLD. :mad:

TerryO

Re: because of the model A
 

I have rheumatoid arthritis and lately my arthritis has about done in my left knee, and the knee doesn't want to bend from straight. First of all, try getting into the driver's seat of an A Ford with a knee that doesn't want to bend? It's tough to do. Next, try placing your foot on the clutch pedal and working the clutch with the knee that doesn't want to bend? Frustrating. I will get better. I have to. At least our steam cars don't have a clutch pedals. Pill bottles with child proof caps? My model A wrenching keeps my hand joints young and the pill bottle caps don't stand a chance with me around. ;)

Re: because of the model A
 

"Child-proof" cap causing problems? Just hand it to the nearest child!

Re: because of the model A
 

"Child-proof" lid = also "old people-proof" lid.

Re: because of the model A
 

At 72 I am only now starting to get shooting pains in my hands. I wonder how long before they become to painful to do ordinary things.

Re: because of the model A
 

I must step in and defend the Model A on this issue. Working on and driving a car that "makes you participate" with your whole body is not bad for your continued physical movement. Modern vehicles do everything from heating your seat and steering wheel to easy pedal motion. I don't want to be coddled by a machine, I want to be in charge. I remember days when I said, "I'm tired and sore, but it's the good kind."

Re: because of the model A
 

Yeah, at 71, I have aches and pains too, but, I would not want to go back to being a kid again. Been there done that.

Re: because of the model A
 

If you want to make something child proof just put it in a filing cabinet. Seriously I teach middle school and sadly about 8 out of 10 kids can't seem to figure out how to open a file cabinet drawer.

Re: because of the model A
 

At 73, I've had back trouble since I was thirty. This is due to having scoliosis as a kid. Now I'm getting Osteo Arthritis in places I never had it before. The secret of functioning with these conditions is to keep moving, keep those joints loose! And don't feel sorry for yourself just because it hurts. Walk on grass. Stay off sidewalks and hard surfaces was much as possible. Do exercises, pushups against the sink, etc. My daughter is an Occupational Therapist (O.T.) and she told me that as we age, our Heel strings tend to shorten themselves. One exercise we should be doing is to stretch these muscles. Keep yourself as loose as you can. I still get under my cars and truck. I'm about to remove one of the large tires off my Case backhoe (no calcium). Next, I'm going to invest in one of Teeter Inversion machines. My Chiro doc says it will help! Your's in pain!
Terry

Re: because of the model A
 

Hey Mike, don't blame the Model A, it's your fault, you're the one who got old

Re: because of the model A
 

For that shooting pain in the fore-arms, I’ve discovered that those straps that wrap tightly around the upper fore-arms help tremendously. They give me much more strength in my hands and help stop all that aching. Those straps even seem to help relieve the pain in my messed up shoulders.

Because of all the stuff that I still do that requires a lot of strength in my hands, I’ve learned to cope. Just driving can cause me a lot of discomfort unless I have those straps on. They don’t cost that much, and you can get them almost anywhere.

Now that I’m in my mid-seventies, I’ll be damned if I’m going to let this old body stop me from doing fun things. So far it hasn’t, I’ve just had to learn to do things differently or ending up paying for them misersbly.

In hot weather you should see me out there working on my A. I’ve got black elastic knee braces on both knees, Danner boots to protect my feet, and black straps on both fore-arms all while wearing shorts and a tank-top with a wet sweat-band around my forehead.

I guess I’m the poster-child for what an old guy can look like when he no longer gives a crap.

And to all you guys who are saying, “What’s this got to do with an A?” I say everything because working on one is more fun to me than driving one, and these things I’m sharing might help someone who is like me continue to do that work.

So there,

Mike

Re: because of the model A
 

For you guys who are complaining your Model A is older than you are, and may not have all of its original parts.