To parents of children with OBPI's...

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

To parents of children with OBPI's...

Post by veggiebug »

Here's my question, there's a little girl at daycare and she has an OBPI. She had surgery not long ago, and she's around 1 year old. I saw a little 3 year old boy grab her BP arm and pull it. She started crying, and it broke my heart. But then one of the teachers led her away by her BP arm. Now maybe I'm putting myself in her place too much, but her arm looked to be in an uncomfortable position, and she wasn't crying as she was led away back to her class.

I've never had surgeries, and honestly I don't remember my arm at the age of 1. So I was wondering should I keep my mouth shut and stay to myself, or do I mention it to someone if that may be more harmful than good.

It just had me concerned. Especially since I'm sure they aren't familiar with how to handle a kid with a BPI. I gave someone brochures once, but there are all new staff.

Again, I might be sticking my nose where it doesn't belong, and if so please tell me.

Thanks. Sorry to be so wordy.
Mica
Posts: 350
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:27 am

Re: To parents of children with OBPI's...

Post by Mica »

Traci,

I can only speak to the way I would respond as a parent, but I would be incredibly grateful to any concerned and informed party (such as yourself) who intervened to protect Aria.

Without knowing this little girl's history, or seeing how forcefully the teacher was pulling on her arm, I cannot say if her handling was dangerous - but I think it's always better to err on the side of safety!!!!!

Even though Aria is older and no longer as delicate as she was, Daniel and I still make the rule that no one is to lift, pull or lead her by her right arm. Period. We also ask that her preschool teachers keep an eye out for anyone tugging on that arm, and ask them to watch for any functional changes or crying if it happens.

Okay - I'm babbling at this point... If I were the mother of this little girl, and I found out that you tried to educate the other teachers to treat her affected arm gently and help protect her from other children's pulling it, I'd be incredibly grateful. I can't imagine anyone objecting to your trying to protect their child. :)

<
m
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: To parents of children with OBPI's...

Post by Carolyn J »

great advice, Mica.

GO FOR IT, Traci!
Hugs,
Carolyn J
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: To parents of children with OBPI's...

Post by Kath »

Traci

I think you were right to be concerned. The rules in my family was that no one was to grab my arm or take hold of it in anyway unless I offered it. I still don't like it to be touch because my brain gets the wrong message. If I'm tapped in anyway I feel pain.

Mica thanks for giving a parents point of view.

Kath robpi/adult
Kath robpi/adult

Kathleen Mallozzi
User avatar
brandonsmom
Posts: 1401
Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2004 4:43 pm

Re: To parents of children with OBPI's...

Post by brandonsmom »

Traci,
I totally agree with KAth. Our rule is that no one, I mean no one is allowed to grab or pull or anything to my son's right arm. I would speak up. I have spoken to parents who grab their child without an injury by the arm and "FLING" what's the worst thing that can happen, they tell me and ask me who I think I am, but I don't care, I am the bigger person, in am emergency, the kids is running into the street etc. , I may let it go. This is dangerous and sometimes painful for our children. When I first put Brandon in daycare, I found buttons that said "STOP" and put them on his right shirt sleeve, I only did it a few weeks, but it drilled into everyone's head that the arm was off limits........really off limits. And it was something that 4 year olds could relate to.......


I bet Mr Jack is getting so big, do you still have the website and can I have the URL if you still do, I have a new computer and lost all my FAVORITES !!!!

GAYLE
MOM OF BRANDON ROBPI 11 years old
SarahxG
Posts: 64
Joined: Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:33 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: To make an incredibly LONG story short...
When I was born, my mother's doctor was out of town. A doctor that would not perform c-sections was forced upon us. Being 10 lbs, my right shoulder got stuck under my mom's pubic bone. The doctor pulled me out by my head, which ripped/streched all the nerves in my neck and arm (So, OBPI).
I've had two surgeries at 9 months old, and 3 years old.
My mother suffered as well. She needed both brain surgery and a shunt--She still sufferes today.
My parents lost the court case due to a terrible jurey.

That's about it!
Hope I can find somebody my age to talk to :)

Re: To parents of children with OBPI's...

Post by SarahxG »

You should definetly inform people about this little girls arm. I'm only 13 and I can't remember how my arm felt at age 1. But the other day my mom was looking through papers that a physical therapist wrote for me. He asked me "What the pain felt like in my arm". He wrote down that I said the pain felt like "poisen". I'm very grateful I don't remember the pain I felt. When I was little. But if that little girl is going through the same pain I obviously went through I think you should let somebody know.
User avatar
Cara
Posts: 497
Joined: Mon Nov 05, 2001 9:34 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: My oldest daughter suffered a LOBPI. We were sent home form the hospital without being told anything was wrong. She had nerve graft surgery at one year of age, tendon transfer and release at 3 1/2 yrs of age.
Location: Indiana

Re: To parents of children with OBPI's...

Post by Cara »

When my daughter first started preschool the first couple of weeks we made a paper braclet with repeated international no signs (red circle with a line through it) The teachers explained to aids and the kids that it ment do not hold Rosalynn's left hand. (I think one day we made a smiley face one and put it on her right wrist so they new it was ok to hold her right hand)After a while everyone knew the rule and we didn't send them anymore, but it was helpful to remind people. Especially if the kiddo is small and can't speak up for themself.
Locked