United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I have seen postings on this site about ROBPI's and how parents have their kids tested for hand dominance and I'm just wondering, what difference does it make? I'm not saying that to be insulting I'm genuinely curious. I am ROBPI and consequently I am lefthanded or maybe I was meant to be left handed natuarlly. I don't know. I feel just as left handed as the next lefty out there with no BPI. Does being forced into hand dominance have some kind of neurological or other developmental effect? I'd be interested to know.
Becky

Loosing your dominate hand can cause many learning disabilities etc. Our brains are hard wired to be either left handed or right handed.

Here is a paper explaining all of the possible problems.

http://www.linkshaender-beratung.de/english/Problem.htm

I am robpi and always thought I was left handed even though I was forced to write with robpi hand. The only thing I do right handed is write.
I realize now I had some problems relating to this switch.

Kath (robpi/adult)

I am a parent of a seven year old with ROBPI. The reason I had my son tested was for "Legal reasons" the lawyer made me have my son tested. My son was supposed to be right handed but was forced left because of a ROBPI. He can write with his affected arm although he is not comfortable doing so for a long period of time. I just read that article and an getting ready to print it to fax over to the attorney just for "FUN" I think some of my complaint as a mother of a smaller child are justified here.....like the fact that my son still wets the bed and still bites his nails till they bleed. We have long settled our case and there is nothing I Can do now but it is worth the attorney having the insight to investigate this issue further. I am not saying that being forced to be a lefty is all of his problems, I have discussed his sensory issues here and thanks to Kath, had alot of my questions answered. I just think that they are finding alot more about this injury now and more doctors are willing to dive in those "UNPROTECTED"waters of dealing with patients who were injured by one of their own......Gayle

Gayle
I had a real problem with spelling in school.
My Mother did everything to help but I am still a poor speller.
I know a few other obpi who have the same problem.
One told me it was difficult to post because of it.
I had to write with my bpi hand and it is painful but I do it, hand cramps can be very uncomfortable.

I hope that all of this information will help the kids in the future.
That is an interesting paper.
Kath (robpi/adult)

My son doesn't have any problem with spelling at school, as a matter of fact, they pretest on Monday and if they get 100% they do not have to take the test on Friday. My son hasn't taken a test in months. I really feel that the information I find here helps my child and me a ton. If it weren't for you guys, I would be in limbo somewhere. My son's teacher has been on this sight and is amazed....although she hasn't posted, I have told her she should, she loves to read everything and see how it relates to my son. She says it is incredible what you can relate. Once again, I don't know where I would be without UBPN !!!
GAYLE : )

I am quite sure I am naturally a righty (LOBPI) and have still never been able to spell - I tell everyone it is because I am a scientist and although I can spell huge scientific terms like phenylalanine I will trip over a 5 letter word - I am a mess!!

Suzy
I think it's because I prefer the Arts... LOL...
I hated science and math, unless it has a $, I loved business math.
So one daughter is a nurse and the other got a BS in Math for fun and my son majored in communications LOL...
I use to get them to check my spelling before I mailed a letter.

When I type I can spell so much better, it is sitting down and writing that is impossible.
So perhaps this robpi was supposed to be a lefty.
We have so many left handed people in our family.

I have small motor coordination in both hands so when I am painting on ceramics, I can switch hands very easily.
I guess that's a bonus for being OBPI.

Kath -robpi

Gayle,

Emma's testing was for the lawyers, as well.

Are you the same Gayle, mother to Brandon, that I use to talk to several years ago? From NY, wasn't it?

If so-- I'm very sorry I fell out of touch! The trial situation and several other major life events really took me out of the loop for a while

If not, I apologize for the confusion.


Peggy

Peggy, I am not so sure. I lved in California, Texas, and Illinois. I don't think it was me though. I too lost touch of alot of people though because of the lawsuit etc but sm not sure exactly who I lost track of ....sorry? GAYLE

Hi everyone,
BTW, there is NO stupid question in this world,especially on UBPN!!

I learn so much from everyone & love you all.
Hugs to everyone & Camp 2007 or Bust!,
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI