Just starting - Dominant hand isn't flexible enough

Question

I'm right handed, but my pinky on my right hand was injured years ago and I can't lift my right pinky independently on my right ring finger. When I try it's rather painful and shakey. I've attempted to learn the ASL alphabet before but always gave up due to the inflexibility and people telling me I needed to use my dominant hand for it. My son is 5 months old and I want to teach him ASL along with English/Spanish as he grows up so I need to start for myself now. Will it make me hard to understand if I use my left for everything? Are there any signs that I'd never be able to do, given the restriction? For teaching a child, will it be easier or harder for them to learn?

Answer 1

I am Deaf and native signer since birth. I have secret to tell you. It is natural to keep your hand loosen as you fingerspell. Most important is that they can read your fingerspelled shape. Don't worry about being perfect when you finger spell. I can show you how on video if you are interested. No charge for this :)

Answer 2

There are Deaf people that are left-hand dominant. As an interpreter for those people, I rarely have any issue understanding it. I think using whatever hand you feel most comfortable with is appropriate! Just make sure you're clear and placing the dominant hand movement/shape on your preferred hand.

It may show in how your son mimics the signs, but most adults simply just use their dominant hand automatically.