United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I've been greatly inspired by all of your answers to this question. I was born 50 years ago w/ROBPI. I think it has been easier for me to deal with having the injury myself, than seeing my child go through it. I can see why your faith has been greatly tested.
Looking at the situation from my perspective, I've seen how this injury, in spite of its resulting pain and challenges, has made me a stronger and more spiritual person. That's not to say that I haven't had my bouts of feeling sorry for myself! But I think dealing with OPBI has helped me become more compassionate & patient. I am more aware and accepting of the variety of people that I meet in my life. And perhaps I have been given this "challenge" so that I might be able to encourage others to find ways of dealing with this injury. I don't know if that's part of God's plan or not, but I guess that's the way I see it!
My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with all of you parents who are caring for these special children!
Cyndi

I would say that I look forward even more to a time when we will be able to live forever in perfect health. I look forward to the opportunity to see Nicole be able to live without pain and the frustration that accompanies a BPI. I look forward to seeing the smile on her face when she supinates and when she opens her fingers and does other things for the first time. Ever since I obtained some true knowledge of the Bible, I looked forward to a time when "death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore" (Revelation 21:3,4), but that hope got even greater when I saw my baby go through such difficulties like surgeries, etc.

I never blamed God for what happened to Nicole. I know a lot of people do blame God when bad things happen -- either directly or indirectly, so I understand people feeling that way. I would love to offer to anyone who is interested a copy of a brochure I have entitled "Does God Really Care About Us." One of the chapters is "Why Has God Permitted Suffering." The Bible says that the truth sets us free. I feel that knowing the truth about why God permits suffering has set me free of pain that I prob. would've felt too -- wondering how God could let this happen to Nicole. It is so great to understand this very often asked question. I also have information regarding prayers that God hears if null or anyone else is interested.

If anyone would like a copy of the brochure I mentioned (at no cost to you) or any other Bible-based literature that would help answer your questions, please e-mail me.

~Tina, bpmom@comcast.net

i believe in miracles more. zachary was one. i prayed so hard after he was born. i also learned that it is ok to hate though feeling guilty just a little, i have learned you cannot hid what you feel. it is not easy hating someone. this is not the normal hate however. this is that hate inside a mothers heart for someone that hurt their child. each case may be different, but until you know the story do not judge me in my way of feeling. i am just being true to my feelings and i dont hid them. this is okay. but my faith has grown.

One of the greatest gifts I received from my Mother was the gift of faith. I never felt as if I was injured as a punishment. I often wondered at the lesson to be learned...
A few years ago I was teaching in an after school religion program -- I taught for 16 years. One of the children noticed my arm and we took the opportunity to talk about people with disabilities. When I asked the children if they thought that perhaps God was punishing me or others with disability I had the greatest response from a little boy named Michael....
He said " Everything that God gives us is a gift no matter what it is". I was deeply touched by this 8 year olds response. The last time I had heard that was from my forth grade teacher ... she told me that God created me and gave me something special not something bad... that truly was a big ego booster to me at that time of my life.

I have often wondered why as I began to age and what was I suppose to do with it... Now I know -- I work for UBPN and support it's mission and once used my arm as a teaching tool for small children.

My faith has always sustained me no matter how hard things get. My faith has helped me through much more than obpi.

Kath

My faith too was greatly tested, instead of BPI bringing me closer it tore me apart. My son was 5 before he was baptized(we are Lutheran) and I did not step into a church till he was four. I was very active in my church until this injury and am just now really getting back into it. I think some of this had to do with my father's reaction to this injury, he is a prominent figure in the church and I couldn't stand the way he could be so rude and judgemental. I was afraid to go to church for fear that others, at church, would react the same way to my decisions for surgical and legal intervention !
Gayle mom of Brandon 7 ROPBI

B.V.,

This is such a good topic. My greatest struggle with what happened to Danny is why I was not the one who was injured. Why would the Lord allow my child to be injured, when I was so much more capable of taking the pain and suffering? I would gladly give my arm to Danny 100 times over, if it would mean his would both work perfectly.

I love the hymn, "It is Well With my Soul." It was written by a man who knew great grief. He was ruined financially during the Great Chicago Fire and then his four daughters were killed. He wrote this hymn in the midst of his suffering. If anyone wants to read the lyrics, they're here: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/t/i/itiswell.htm

I know that God has a purpose in suffering. Hymns like that have really given me comfort.

Janet

I think that God gave me the best gift of all... Learinging to not care if everyone was "exactly the same" we all have differences - gees !! I personally have a bunch of differences!! I'm blind at times and can't hear.... the family jokes about it.... My daughter is fine - she is beatuiful, and she has given me strength. My trust in God has gotten stronger because I feel that he knew exactly what our family was supposed to be - I am happy - and God knew what he was doing - there is a reason.
On the other hand - I'm still not sure about my second child - there must be a reason!! She's just goofey - and I love her so much!! Between the two kids - our family is always laughing...
Christy

Claudia - I loved your post - so true - You pack them up and away they go - things get easier.....The food they love, toaster strudels here - oh and frozen waffles!!, and life goes on and you realize that God wasn't angry at you - and you do what you can but with more apprecication.
Christy

Yes it has. I wouldn't have made it through all this without prayer and faith. My injury resulted from the position I was in during my c-section and I thank God every day that this injury happened to me and not my daughter. My prayers go out to all of you dealing with this and those having to see their child suffer. Please keep faith and stay positive.
Michelle in Texas