According to your letters many of us have trouble uncurling our fingers, especially after a night's sleep. Some of us would like to prevent our fingers from curling. We've found a person with CMT who has used a flat hand and finger splint to keep her fingers and hands straight while she sleeps.

Did it work? "Yes," said Shirley Laliberte of St. Catharines. "They worked but I don't use them as much now since I've had to use a continuous position airways pressure respirator or a CPAP at night while I sleep to help improve my breathing. I found, too, that there was an ache in my hands every morning because they were held in an unnatural (for us) position for so long. That was the only problem with them although my hand that is already curled hasn't improved much. The hand that hasn't already curled hopefully won't. I try to alternate the breathing apparatus and the hand splints nightly but both can just be too much."

We agree, there's such a thing as quality of life to be considered when using bracing and splinting.

I remember when I was a young girl of 14. I wore heavy metal braces and big brown leather boots. I hated them. The day also arrived when I needed prescription glasses. My well meaning aunt told me how nice my glasses looked and I ran bawling up the stairs. The glasses were the last straw. I cold tolerate the braces if everything else was okay but add the glasses to them and it was all just too much. The same thing goes for the hand splints and the respirator, you have to give yourself room to say, enough is enough.

This also applies to children who perhaps don't have a say, but are told they must use this and that device to help them cope. If you don't ask your child exactly how he feels about it all, you'll never know. The things you are piling on to "help him better cope" may be breaking his spirit. When enough is enough is up to the individual using the appliances not the rehabilitation counselor, the doctor or occupational therapist. Saying no is everyone's prerogative and it should be respected.

Shirley knew when to say enough is enough and she doesn't always use her hand night splints any more. Her respirator performs a much more important function. However, if you think night hand splints might help, take this article to a good orthotist and show him the photos. If he/she is worth his salt you'll be fixed up in no time. Also you might try taking a few minutes to lie in bed, upon waking, with your hands under your head, fingers uncurled, and let the weight of your head hold your hands open for a few minutes. This might be all you need if the tendons aren't too strong and not too much force is needed.