I need some advice on tablets and styluses with my Macbook Pro.

You just need to buy a simple drawing pen tablet like wacom intuos, huion inspirory or xppen deco. all of them are compatible with Mac OS. then you can control your macbook by the stylus.

https://pctechtest.com/20-best-drawing-tablets-for-beginners

You can use a Magic Trackpad with your MBP, and with your ailment, as you don't have to put it on the desk, but keep it any place, where it is easy to use hand/fingers. I hope, you still have some feelings in the tips of your fingers. Usually, one hand would still be better than the troubled one. You can use the Magic Trackpad with the other. (One of my family members has that carpal tunnel problem, and I am having some wrist an finger joint problem too.)

I keep my Magic Trackpad on the desk, but further away from the back edge of the MBP, so I can rest the arm on the desk. I just keep my hand on the trackpad, lying on it, or next to it on the desk. True, when I have to write, I have to have my right hand on the MBP.

Also, find something like this to exercise your fingers, if you will.

RoseEdit Said:

"I need some advice on tablets and styluses with my Macbook Pro.: [...]I bought an Apple Pencil gen 1 for the ipad. Have not used it yet but my understanding is that it's not compatible with the Macbook Pro? I was considering getting a magic trackpad and using it there but apparently that's not compatible either? (Come on, Apple - for real?).[...]"

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Using an Apple Pen with a Trackpad or Apple Trackpad:

You Can't. What you are looking to perform is not an option.

So, Recommend this to Apple:

Do Your Part: Inform Apple of your thought. They will not get back to directly, but the more feedback they receive on this, the more they will know what is going on, and what their customers need are. The more feedback Apple receives on this, the more likely they will include it in future Macs.

1. Go Here: Feedback - MacBook Pro - Apple
2. Select: "Performance" for the "Feedback Type"
3. Comment: on how you think this can be of use for accessibly
4. Proceed from there as necessary.

RoseEdit Said:

"Thank you. Yes I will leave feedback. I do understand that what I want to do is not a thing as far as the Apple pencil is concerned. What I am actually looking for at this point is a recommendation for a third party workaround."

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If a third-party hardware is available, then you'd have to look it up on a site like Amazon. Research it, looking up its specs, and it compatibility devices.

RoseEdit Said:

"Well darn, I could've had a V-8!: Hoping someone out there has some workaround that is working smoothly for them that they can share, or has tried a workaround that did not Looking for people's experience with this as to which solution has worked the best. Thank you everyone!"

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Use a Virtual Machine:

Well, you can use a Windows Virtual Machine, and then download the drivers for the track pad to it. Once downloaded, grant the Virtual Machine access to it. Then, share the trackball with your Mac in the background.

Yes, I know some of your hand/finger problems myself. I have finger joint and wrist problems with my righty hand. Best get help from a physiotherapist. A physiotherapist knows much better about how to help you in this matter than a general doctor. Yes, hot baths for the hand helps, but for a while, but still helps. That ball never leaves my desk, and whenever I move away, it is with me. Continuous usage, especially because my middle finger and the fourth finger joints ache. Old age. 😩 And, years of mouse usage.