Hi, most of you may know me as Miss Elizabeth, my mom is Louise Beaulieu. I have finally decided to offer my "expertise" opinion and help. I have just undergone my 4th surgery, which consisted of a 6th and 7th procedure, which was a wrist fusion and tendon transfer to my thumb. I had surgery 12 weeks ago, was casted for 4 weeks and splinted for 8 weeks. I removed my splint 3 days ago and I was really happy that my hand stayed open and that I could move my fingers. I am now doing OT and PT 3 times a week with therapists and also doing exercises at home. I really believe that all 7 procedures that I have had done in the past 10 years have been really successful each in their own way.
I'm not going to lie, the surgeries I have had were painful, but I personally think the pain was worth it. I'm very fortunate to have parents that tell me to never give up and who love me. I am also very fortunate to live in a small town because everyone knows me and they don't treat me any different. Before I had this surgery to fuse my wrist, my arm looked really short compared to the other one and I would see people looking at my arm with a confused look on their face, but now that I had the surgery, my arm looks longer and looks more "normal". At least that's how I feel... Most of my friends and family don't notice the length difference, but I sure do/did.
I've been adapting my whole life. I type with one hand, and I can actually type faster than most people. I have been playing trumpet for 7 years now (wow time flies), I play basketball, volleyball and some other sports. If someone tells me I can't play or do something because I only have one arm, I tell them "Oh yea, watch me!" Telling me I can't, is like asking me to prove you wrong. I hate it when people say I can't do something. I turn around and show them that I can. I never give up and I never will...
I've arrived!
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Elizabeth Beaulieu
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2010 7:54 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Right Brachial Plexus birth injury
- Location: Maine, USA
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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: I've arrived!
Welcome to the boards Elizabeth 
You have proven that you are a strong and independent young woman!
You have proven that you are a strong and independent young woman!
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karategirl1kyu
- Posts: 363
- Joined: Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:59 am
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI, had surgery when I was 9- they moved muscles and tendons from one side of my arm to the other side. I can lift my arm to about my eye level, can't straigten it all the way and can't completely supinate my wrist.
- Location: Richmond, RI
Re: I've arrived!
nice to finally 'meet' you ... i usually take it as a challenge too when people say i cant do something!!
... i usually take it as a challenge too when people say i cant do something!! ~Mel/23/LOBPI
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jmar
- Posts: 528
- Joined: Tue Aug 10, 2010 3:43 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: brachial plexus stretch during thoracic outlet syndrome surgery on may 18, 2010.
Re: I've arrived!
you are awsome! hope everthing goes very well with all your surgeries.
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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: I've arrived!
WELCOME ELIZABETH!!!
It is great to have your perspective growing up as you are with these OBPI Injuries. I look forward to your posts. You are a very good writer
HUgs,
Carolyn J
LOBPI/72
It is great to have your perspective growing up as you are with these OBPI Injuries. I look forward to your posts. You are a very good writer
HUgs,
Carolyn J
LOBPI/72
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
Adult LOBPI
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F-Litz
- Posts: 970
- Joined: Fri May 26, 2006 6:53 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI, LTBPI at age 6.5, Sensory Issues, CP, Diaphragm Weakness, Aspberger's
- Location: Ambler, PA
Re: I've arrived!
Miss Elizabeth (can I still call you that?),
You have come such a long way since that first day we met. You were young and angry and SO ANGRY you were ready to rip your mom and dad's head off in a moment. Then you had that incredible surgery where your arm positioning was changed -- What courage you had on that day fully knowing what was going to happen. You were strong and courageous and powerful. No longer upside down and backward and now in a normal position -- it was the transformation into a butterfly. I view that time as when you actually "arrived". It seemed to me like you went through a rebirth. The anger lifted and the sun shined right through. You sparkled. You had things to share. You just completely changed.
You are one awesome young woman! and you will help so many people on here -- hopefully, my daughter, too. We are so grateful that we met you and your mom and that we have time together every so often when you come south.
You go girl!!
-francine
You have come such a long way since that first day we met. You were young and angry and SO ANGRY you were ready to rip your mom and dad's head off in a moment. Then you had that incredible surgery where your arm positioning was changed -- What courage you had on that day fully knowing what was going to happen. You were strong and courageous and powerful. No longer upside down and backward and now in a normal position -- it was the transformation into a butterfly. I view that time as when you actually "arrived". It seemed to me like you went through a rebirth. The anger lifted and the sun shined right through. You sparkled. You had things to share. You just completely changed.
You are one awesome young woman! and you will help so many people on here -- hopefully, my daughter, too. We are so grateful that we met you and your mom and that we have time together every so often when you come south.
You go girl!!
-francine
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Elizabeth Beaulieu
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2010 7:54 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Right Brachial Plexus birth injury
- Location: Maine, USA
Re: I've arrived!
Yes, you can still call me Miss Elizabeth, and thank you!
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Elizabeth Beaulieu
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2010 7:54 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Right Brachial Plexus birth injury
- Location: Maine, USA
Re: I've arrived!
Thank you everyone... If any of you have any questions about ANYTHING don't be shy to ask.