Sports

This board is for adults and teens to discuss issues relating to BPI since birth (OBPI).
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pjams444

Sports

Post by pjams444 »

Everyone learns to compensate with their arm and we try to do normal things like play sports...what trouble do you have playing sports and which ones seem to come the easiest?

I'm 15 and play football for my high school in Pa and also play hockey and basketball and golf and the thing that gives me the most trouble is blocking in football with me right hand
rachelcasa
Posts: 729
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2003 11:45 pm

Re: Sports

Post by rachelcasa »

Congratulations on sticking with the sports you love and are able to do!! That is a great accomplishment.

When I was in school I tried to play volleyball. I did alright my freshman year but when it came time to get cut I sure did. I coudln't straighten my arms out all the way to bump the ball straight up. It would always hit my affected arm and wing off the opposite way. So needless to say I got cut and only played for recreation.

The easiest sport for me was tennis and softball. I guess you could say because you can do them with one arm. I learned to compensate for softball by taking off my glove and putting it on my good arm. We have had some great demonstrations of this at camp. The first time I saw the kids doing that at camp I almost cried. It really reminded me a lot of when I was learning how to do it.

Basketball was really hard for me because my affected arm didn't have any strength and I couldn't dribble the basketball with that arm. I remember the coach putting me in a room before my game and telling me how I could dribble if I just tried. The reality of it was I couldn't do it until later in life when I started learning tricks to help my muscles in my arm.

Anyways, keep up the great work and continue your athletics. You will also find ways to make it work for you.
Best of luck.

Rachel from MT
User avatar
hope16_05
Posts: 1670
Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2003 11:33 am
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: 28 years old with a right obstetrical brachial plexus injury. 5 surgeries to date with pretty decent results. Last surgery resolved years of pain in my right arm however, I am beginning my journey with overuse in my left arm
Location: Minnesota
Contact:

Re: Sports

Post by hope16_05 »

Welcome Patrick!
I love sports! Softball has become my absolute favorite of them all though. It took a considerable amount of work to develop my own thechnique. Now it comes way easy too me but I have played since third grade.

I guess thats the only sport I stuck with but I had trouble with coaches not letting me play so I just stopped most of them but I put up a fight for softball. I just loved it too much to give up.

Way to go with Football, hockey and golf! Thats awesome! I personally sucked at floor hockey but I loved it!
Keep at your fav sports!
Again, welcome to the boards and if you have any questions at all feel free to ask!!! Every question no matter what it is is worthy of being asked!
Hugs,
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN
Amy 28 years old ROBPI from MN
jep98056
Posts: 322
Joined: Sun Apr 14, 2002 10:25 pm

Re: Sports

Post by jep98056 »

I played all sports in my youth - basketball, baseball, football, volleyball. Dribbling to my right (I'm ROBPI) was a problem with basketball after my opponent figured out I could dribble only with my left hand. I liked football but tackling was a problem because I couldn't grasp and hang on with both arms. (I can relate to your blocking issue) The coaches tried to help with technique but I decided to play intramural flag football instead. I loved baseball (still do) and played a lot with my friends but I found that the older I got the fastballs were harder to hit. I didn't have the bat speed to catch up with a well thrown pitch. A friend invited me to play on a slow pitch team when I was in my 20's. Although hitting with power was still an issue, I learned to place the ball and get on base. I played outfield, 1st base, and pitcher in competitive leagues until I was 50. I started having trouble warming up my unaffected arm and decided that I needed to preserve it for as long as possible.

John P.
ROBPI for 68 years
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: Sports

Post by Carolyn J »

WELCOME PATRICK!!!
Good for you to do the sports you love!!
Please let us know how your teams are doing,OK? WE root loud on these Message Boards!! :)

Any Questions?? I'm glad you found us. Keep coming back.

HUGS,
Carolyn J
LOBPI/69
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
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