Believe it or not the term "blackberry thumb" is becoming a recognised quasi-medical term, especially across the Pond in North America. Lots of info if you Google Blackberry Thumb

Jim

Are you asking a rhetorical question 'has anyone' or is this a specific concern relating to the individual, in other words, could this person be at risk of having their licence suspended because of disability?

Presumably the person has referred to their doctor (diagnosis tendonitis).
If the doctor feels that they are sufficiently impaired so as to interfere with driving ability, they have a duty to discuss this specifically with the patient, and refer to the DVLA.

I would be surprised if the condition you mention is so debilitating that gear changing is severely affected, but it's between the medics and the individual.

is this a work related situation?

what's the difference?

Hi Mick
It is not necessarily the case that a touch screen 'phone will have less pressure applied.
Humans tend to like sensory feedback from a keyboard, and therefore may press touch screen 'phones pretty hard, even though they do not need to.
Ian

My company's just issued all of us with a Blackberry this week!
On a personal note, wish I could type quick enough on the minute keyboard to have to worry about this!
It's my age.. grew up before mobiles were invented.

many thanks to you all your comments have been most helpful, and in answer to the Q- yes its a works Mobile.
As for touch screens were still awaiting on this one.
M.

Keyboard issues answered comprehensively but no-one mentioned the driving issue.

Is it possible to provide an auto-gearbox vehicle? If yes, problem probably fixed unless they drive on the wrong side.

Frank Hallett

I have a work laptop and Blackberry (for when I'm out the office). Working at home last week and laptop decided to die on me. It was 10 minutes to end of day so switched off and had hoped it would work today - no such luck! so, it's off to the IT folk for some pampering and I'm left with the Blackberry and I can honestly say - I HATE THE THING!!!

Those keys are designed by a total sadist! With the security in our organisation, I can't access the server with it (so can't email files etc) and any files that are sent to me are impossible to read if they are any bigger than 1 megabyte I think grrrr.

So, I can sympathise with the person - thankfully I only work part-time so hoping my thumb is still intact by the time the laptop arrives back (though my nerves might be shredded through utter frustration and they might need to replace the window beside me later in the week...and the Blackberry!).

Seriously, who at Blackberry thought the mini keyboard was a good idea?!? Give me a touchscreen any day of the week...

I suggest a course on how to press the keys in an unstressed way.

You cant be serious?

Firesafety - I have an iphone for personal calls but the Blackberry for work as it was deemed "more secure" by IT for the type of work undertaken so I'm stuck with the thing.

Thankfully today I am able to get into Outlook on a borrowed PC in the office so can respond to emails without getting to the point of screaming at the Blackberry in frustration so put yesterday down to "Blue Monday" as also had a dentist appt and need a filling replaced!

Blackberry's are fine for quick one line emails - "I'm leaving the office now, you fed the dog? where's the car keys?" sort of thing but for anything longer is utterly useless.

Dont think I've got Gorilla Arm yet but might give Suri another go (she had difficulty interpretting the Scottish accent! I don't think my accent is particularly strong and been told I have a nice telephone voice so maybe she just doesn't like me....technology paranoia now kicking in ...lol!).