LinJane, I too have been told similar. When i messed up my right arm so bad in an MVA my hand specialist used to tell me to just find some other line of work if it hurt so bad (NOT!). My PT told me she was releasing me because my right hand was as strong as a normal female. I was aghast because my dominant right hand was weaker and more useless than my left. I came to PT one day and was proud because my right hand was finally strong enough to mount my horse again. She told me I was a dumb male donkey to even try. Much of the advice we get is based on some average people who are couch potatoes. WE ARE BETTER THAN THAT. There goes my oral diarrhea again.