Hail to the Lefties!

What do Mark Twain, Lewis Carroll, and H.G. Wells have in common? Apart from being famous authors, they were left handed. All the greats.

Left-handed students don't have it easy at school. You won't find a chair where they can rest their left arm. Writing becomes a clumsy moment. In fact, most things are made for the right-handers. This not only puts the left-handers at a disadvantage, but it also make them feel there's something wrong with left-handedness. They tend to be bashful because of it. In spite of these, many lefties achieve greatness. As of 2014, three out of the last four US presidents were left-handed. In the 1996 election, all three candidates - Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, and Ross Perot - were left-handers. (Dole learned to use his left hand after his right hand was paralyzed by a World War II injury.) Albert Einstein, one of the most brilliant people of the 20th century, was a left hander. So were Leonardo Da Vinci, Charlie Chaplin, Germaine Greer, Uhland Ludwig, Matt Groening, Jimi Hendrix, Ted Koppel, Ross Kemp, Neil Armstrong, and Winston Churchill.

A call for reform

Peter Luff, former Conservative defence minister, said teacher training and the national curriculum in Great Britain should be overhauled.

“If teachers are made to realize that someone is left handed, then maybe there are some things that they would want to do differently than for the rest of the class," Mr. Luff said.

“There are all sorts of small things which are terribly, terribly easy to put right - it’s just that teachers need to be told as part of their training to look out for those kind of kids and make sure their slightly different needs are addressed thoughtfully in the classroom.”

Left power

The International Left Handers Day was designated by Lefthanders International. It was first observed on August 13, 1976, and have been celebrated on that date ever since. Aside from recognizing their uniqueness and difference, this occasion addresses their daily struggles. Awareness is the first step.

Here are some things to make the leftie's school experience pleasant:

1. Lefties are more prone to negative and angry thoughts. The reason is their frustration at living in a world designed for the right-handed. A little sensitivity goes a long way.

2. If you're a teacher, make sure that left-handed students are comfortable in their seats. A lecture can be a stressful moment, so ask first if there are left-handers in the class. Be considerate by looking at them (or asking if they're OK).

3. Spiral notebook is a leftie's kryptonite. A pad is a good substitute.

4. Many sporting greats are southpaws. If a student seems natural on his/her left hand (or side), then don't discourage him/her. You never know.

5. A computer mouse is found on the right side of the (computer) keyboard. Transfer a few of them on the other side.

Keep in mind that everyone is born right-handed. But only the greatest overcome it.