See if you can hand out the 'bulletins' or seat people....

if not the wrist brace is a good idea

or the updated hand fistshake should work...except for the old folks, who might not get it. (You may find yourself explaining even more).

They make a urethane glove or gel glove for cyclists..but you need the winter kind with full fingers....that could soften the crunch. No one has to bust your knuckles while shaking hands. Go to your local bike store explain you need winterized gel gloves....they should understand what you are asking for. These are similar to what wetsuits are made of...kind of spongey, yet some have gel to pad the cyclists hands.

I have plastic molded splints that make me look like a robot (for night use only and even then only one at a time...you can't take two at a time....too confining)....those will make folks run to the pew and pray thanks and sing allelluia like crazy!! An OT can fashion that for you...those are not squeezable at all.

Nothing is worse than explaining 'neuropathy'....I see people's eyes glaze over.

For me, folks that remember me as the indefatiguable athlete, it is too hard for them to associate me with a degenerative disease...those who know me well know I do not do well with pity. Others simply have a great denial system. Others think I am a just a witch.

Frankly, I try to gloss over the issue with most folks other than my husband, who is going deaf (and doesn't mind that). I know he hears only half of what I say.

Also, have you run the gamut on pain meds?? Tried them all?

I give you a lot of credit for staying active and bucking up to all the pain....keep up the good work, and say a prayer or two for me in whatever church you are in. They always ask me my religious preference when I check into the hospital, or the ER...I tell them when the time comes...ANY one will do.