New to UBPN 25 yr old LBPI Female

This board is for adults and teens to discuss issues relating to BPI since birth (OBPI).
Carolyn J
Posts: 3424
Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.

My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!

I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too.
Location: Tacoma WA
Contact:

Re: New to UBPN 25 yr old LBPI Female

Post by Carolyn J »

Hi ALL,
Ohhh yea, I've done the candy melt-crumbled in my LT. hand & forgot I was soooo busy to notice till later...what a mess, I never held food again in that hand. Now I carry a handy bowl from room to room When I worked I carried "goodies" on my "socialworker notebook or my clipboard" I ALWAYS carried on my LOBPIside arm! Anything to keep looking "normal"...[what is normal anyway???]
Hugs,
Carolyn J,68
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
Kath
Posts: 3242
Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
Location: New York

Re: New to UBPN 25 yr old LBPI Female

Post by Kath »

Carolyn
I don't know what normal is...
What is normal anyway?
What's normal for you may not be for me.

I think normal is ordinary and boring and I probably don't know any truly normal people... LOL... LOL...

Kath (robpi/adult)
Kath robpi/adult

Kathleen Mallozzi
cristina

Re: New to UBPN 25 yr old LBPI Female

Post by cristina »

When did u have the arm lengthening? Have you noticed any disadvantages? How about scaring?
admin
Site Admin
Posts: 19873
Joined: Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:59 pm

Re: New to UBPN 25 yr old LBPI Female

Post by admin »

Hello everyone and thank you for your kind words. Hi Cristina and sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I had the lengthening done in July of 2004. I have not noticed any disadvantages. I am still amazed to this day that I corrected my length difference and the scarring is very minimal. There are four small circle-like scars where the surgical pins were in my arm and elbow. Two in my elbow and two in my upper arm. I would say the scars measure about 5 to 7mm wide and they keep getting lighter as time goes by - pretty small price to pay for what I recieved in return - plus if I want I can always have the scars removed by a cosmetic surgeon. The location of the pins in your arm can be different depending on were the doctor feels it is best to break and grow the bone or you could not need as many pins as I did because my doctor was doing two things at once(1. correcting the length difference and 2. correcting the way my arm was positioned) Contrary to popular belief it is not painful. It was like the fixator and the pins in my bones became a temporary part of my arm for those months that I had it on. I could not really feel them in my arm. In my opinion it was well worth it. Hope this helps. If you need more details just let me know.

Chloe'
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