Liz: may or may not help
Moll - Trouble is, it takes two hands and usually my left hand is engaged with the mouse at work, it being the nature of the way our computer programmes accept information (type in number, click mouse box, type in another number, click mouse box... get the idea? Designed for right-handed people). I'd use the arrow keys to move my mouse but guess what... they're on the right hand side of the keyboard! It can't be my working practices, I haven't done any for weeks! (Joke!)
Have you tried using the other keyboard shortcuts that avoid the use of the mouse?
The 'Tab' key will usually move you from your input boxes to your tick boxes without stopping typing. Most programmes will use standardised shortcuts which are keyboard rather than mouse originated. (to select all the information on a page "Ctrl+A" to copy it "Ctrl+C" to paste it "Ctrl+V") similarly most 'drop-down' menus will allow shortcuts by using "Ctrl" with a named key.
The mouse is a wonderful tool when working properly (well cleaned and on a good surface) but can be a pain in the butt (or arm/hand)
Modern programming rarely needs it, and once you know the shortcuts it is often quicker to use them than to transfer hand from keyboard to mouse!

Hope this helps.
CHEERS
Nigel