I thought it wouldn't hurt to mention that just as we can have drop foot caused by the inability to move our feet up and down at the ankle, we can also have drop wrist.

For many years I plied my trade as a reporter, either taking notes or working on a computer keyboard, editing. My fingers were extremely weak but I managed to solve that solution by weaving pencils in and out of them to stiffen the middle ones. I now type bout 60 words per minute with few mistakes. However, I couldn't brace the weakening wrists without considerable bunching of wrapped Ace bandages. That's what I tried first, an Ace bandage, then I got a wrist support for people into sports. That worked for a while until it lost its stiffness and got very dirty. It didn't wash well and was also very noticeable and awkward.

I asked my doctor for an appointment with an orthopedic man and was sent to McMaster Hospital where I was prescribed a plastic brace that encompassed my entire hand and palm and wrist. I cried from sheer frustration and anger when I left the casting room because I knew it wasn't going to work and it wasn't what I wanted.
When I went back for my try-on, there it was. A real monster that was supposed to help me improve my pinch and stiffen my wrist. What it did was take away my ability to write as I do, type as I do and even turn the pages of a book as I do.

The orthotist who actually made the brace could see that it was an impossible situation and told me that he sees all kinds of braces brought back after a person has died, completely unworn because they never did do the trick in the first place. I needed a wrist brace and as we began cutting away at the original plan, what appears in this picture evolved. It not only holds my wrist up but fits beautifully as it is casted to my arm. The Velcro is easy to undo with my other hand or my teeth and the whole thing can be washed.

I'm on my third brace now and I'm still able to write and type just fine.
I learned not to take the doctor's answer as an absolute. I'll listen but I know my CMT better than anyone and I know how my hands function better than anyone. Don't be afraid to ask for help to get what you need, also, don't be afraid to speak out and let your needs be known. It pays off in added independence.