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1 Some athletes. Lefties may have a
tactical advantage in some sports. About 20 percent of
the best baseball pitchers and male tennis players are
left-handed. (Men are more likely than women to be
left-handed.)
2 Some with sexual orientation differences.
Incidence of gender-identity disorder is higher among
people who are left-handed. And a review paper published
in Psychological Bulletin in 2001 found
non-righthandedness to be more prevalent among gay
people, especially lesbians.
3 Some people with autoimmune disorders --
maybe. In one study, still hotly debated, a higher
percentage of left-handers suffered asthma, colitis and
irritable bowel disorders. It was long believed that
lefties died earlier or suffered more injuries than
righties. Recent research proves this untrue.
4 Unusual and creative thinkers. Artists,
architects and chess masters are slightly more likely to
be left-handed. Lefties also have more language-linked
learning disabilities than righties. But lefties are no
more likely to be disabled than da Vincis.
5 Some with mental disorders.
Schizophrenics are more likely to use both hands for
various tasks than the general population; those with
autism have a raised incidence of left-handedness.
-- Kate Nelson
© 2003 The Washington Post Company
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