Loss of balance

This board is for adults and teens to discuss issues relating to BPI since birth (OBPI).
rachelcasa
Posts: 729
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2003 11:45 pm

Loss of balance

Post by rachelcasa »

Well, it finally happened. I was dusting my house and lost my balance. My pants hooked onto a hope chest I have in my living room and I landed right onto my left side (affected side).

Needless to say the first thing I thought of was oh my gosh what if I broke my arm. I hurt my wrist more than anything but did not break anything thank goodness.

I had to laugh of course afterwards but when I first fell I was very angry.

I couldn't believe I feel from dusting! ahhh....

Does anyone know of an exercise to help with a balance issue?

Thanks,
Rachel
Mica
Posts: 350
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:27 am

Re: Loss of balance

Post by Mica »

Rachel,

To help our daughter with balance, we work on her core strength. On of the main ways we do this is by having her sit on an exercise disc while she plays or watches Baby Einstein videos.

The exercise disc is simply a round, inflatable disc that greatly resembles an inflatable dinner plate. It's slightly unstable, so Aria has to use her core to stabilize her sitting position. We've noticed a great reduction in how often she falls since we've started using this simple exercise.

I know she is much younger, but I wonder if this might work for you, as well?

I wish you luck finding a solution!!!

mica
Mare
Posts: 708
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 5:30 pm

Re: Loss of balance

Post by Mare »

Rachel
Horseback riding is great frankie started at 3 yrs old. Its called therapy riding and alot of farms do it for different disabilty's. In NJ it cost $25 an hr and helps your whole body learn to balance itself with unexpected movements from the horse. Its totally safe because you have a saftey belt on and two people walking on both sides of you. Its also very relaxing on a summer evening to get outside for some therapy.
Mare
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: Loss of balance

Post by Carolyn J »

Rachel,
Living in Montana should be easy to find a Theraputic Riding program, or just find someone to ride along side of you. BTW, the Motel in Livingston had a coral for horses for people staying over night there. I loved staying there when I went to Yellowstone 2 yrs ago!

HUGS,
Carolyn J
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
rachelcasa
Posts: 729
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2003 11:45 pm

Re: Loss of balance

Post by rachelcasa »

They do have a program here for horse therapy. A few kids at our school go to it. I should look into it.

I like the core idea too. I used to do pilates, I should try it again. I could always use a little core work abs..(if I could find them!!) he hehe...

Thanks everyone for your help.

Rachel
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: Loss of balance

Post by Kath »

Rachel

Give up dusting... ok that won't work so get someone else to dust... hmmm that probably won't work either...

Go for the horse back riding... LOL..

PS... don't ever fall in front of me, I laugh when I fall. For some dumb reason I always think simple falls are funny. It's probably a nervous reaction but hey my nerves are kinda messed up.

Kath robpi/adult
Kath robpi/adult

Kathleen Mallozzi
ptrefam
Posts: 674
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2006 5:19 pm

Re: Loss of balance

Post by ptrefam »

Dustin saw a feldenkrais therapist and it greatly improved his stability. It was amaizing because the therapy looked mostly like a very soothing message. It really worked though.

Sue
User avatar
veggiebug
Posts: 257
Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2004 8:47 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I weighed 11 lbs. 4 oz. when I was born.
I was delivered by forceps which resulted in my ROBPI.
I've never had any surgical intervention.
Location: Williamsport PA

Re: Loss of balance

Post by veggiebug »

Do you have one of those exercise balls? One of those big ones. If you even simply sit on it to watch t.v. you will use muscles you normally wouldn't. And if you wanted to you could more.

I love those exercise balls, they are tough at first but they really are wonderful for core exercises.

I like Kath's suggestion, don't dust. I think I'll tell my husband that one.

FYI...I ran into the wall today. I only run into it on my affected side. I feel so dumb when people see me do it, but oh well. I never said I was a ballet dancer.

-Traci
User avatar
marieke
Posts: 1627
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:00 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI
no external rotation against gravity, can only go to 90 degree fwd flexion, no hand-to-mouth
1 surgery at age 14 (latissimus dorsi transfer). In 2004, at age 28 I was struck with Transverse Myelitis which paralyzed me from the chest down. I recovered movement to my right leg, but need a KAFO to walk on my left leg. I became an RN in 2008.
Location: Montreal, Qc, Canada
Contact:

Re: Loss of balance

Post by marieke »

Oh dear God, I thought I was the only one who ran into walls! I do it too.. and I was coordinated.. just not on 2 feet! Put skates on me and I was fine.. or toe shoes! LOL

Marieke 32, LOBPI
Marieke Dufresne RN
34, LOBPI
http://nurse-to-be08.blogspot.com
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: Loss of balance

Post by Kath »

Those darn wall, doorways and often other people just aim for my elbow... LOL... I just can't believe how many times a wall or doorway will attack me.
I don't understand why I pick my arm up while I walk because my arm can hang down straight. When I brush my teeth or comb my hair I noticed my robpi arm is up and elbow out... hmmm do they work together somehow? I thought it was strange the first time I notice my arm up and elbow out when using my unaffected arm...

I once whacked my right elbow so hard I almost fell.
Kath robpi/adult

As for the dusting... I wish I could take my own advice and not dust... LOL... I also wish I had been a bit lazier about housework in general. Maybe I would not have so many secondary injuries.
Kath robpi/adult

Kathleen Mallozzi
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