United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I had those removable shower heads installed in all our bathrooms.
I am short and I don't wash my hair everyday anymore.
My hair is dry and I found I was making it worse.

I can wash my hair and rinse it with one hand.

I prop my arm on the wall and put the dryer in the bpi hand to style my hair. My arm hangs down all the time I don't have bicep function to raise the dryer.

Kath (adult/robpi)

I also have thick curly hair. When I was young my Mom kept it VERY short. (I hated it) Now I wear it long. I went and got a really good layered haircut. It is about 3 inches below my shoulders. I use shampoo and conditioner for curly hair and just let it dry on its own. It looks very much like Grace's (TV show Will and Grace (Debra Messing)) hair. It is truly wash and wear hair. The more unruly - the more stylish it is. I always wash it in the shower so I don't worry about making a mess.

-sunny

Well geez I asked for some advice and you wonderful people gave it to me. Well I'm gonna try giving her a little more allowance for chores so she can go get it washed at a salon ( every once in awhile) and I will tell her dad if she needs to wash her hair to do it in the kitchen sink. thank you all very much. oh one more question is there anyway she can put her hair in a ponytail herself? She's going to start the whole slumer party age soon and was just wondering. Also is putting a bra on hard to do if it's a front latch instead of a back on? ok so that was more then one question (smile) but as Arianna get older we are both learning new things...
Thanks so much.
Tracy

For the bra question... I am a professional sports bra wearer.lol They come in many styles and fabrics now. and no more uni-boob. I am not BPI, but I could only imagine that the racer back styles would stay up better.

Also, since she is young, the tanktops with bras in them.

MArlyn

Sports Bras... NOT! I can't pull them over my head.
Racer backs UGH! I can't stand the pressure on my back. It could be because I have scapular winging I don't know.

You can buy a regular bra and hook it in the front then twist it to the back and she can slip her arms into the straps... BPI arm first the same way we have to put on coats etc.

Pony Tail was easy for me. I put the elastic on the bpi hand then put my arm up on a wall... I would brush and put my hair slowly into my bpi hand and pull the elastic on it.

I think some of the girls lay down on the bed and let their hair hang down. Gravity will help with that one.

Kath adult/robpi

guess I guessed wrong. sorry

marlyn

I think each of us has to find our own way that is most comfortable. So much depends upon how much internal and external rotation we have. Depending on which is stronger, we will adapt how we put on a bra, how we style/wash our hair, even how we put on our pants (besides the one leg at a time, ha ha).

I do it like Kath, but I have to pull it over to the bpi side to attach it, then slide it to the back and put the arms in, bpi arm in first.

Nancy

No Marlyn
You did not guess wrong...
I bought those bras thinking they might be great.
I had a major duh! moment when I tried to wear them...

Perhaps those without scapular winging might be more comfortable....
I thought it was a good guess until I tried it... LOL... passed them off to my daughters...

Kath robpi/adult

I just learned to do my hair about a year and a half ago. Well not so much as learned but gained enough strength. To put my hair up I find it easiest to work with when wet but thats because its stays put better and does not get staticky. I lay on my back on my bed and brush my hair off the edge. Then I take the hair tie in my left hand and gather my hair. Then with my right hand I am able to hook a finger through the hair tie so I can pull my hair through with my left hand. Then repeat because I have to put the hair tie in three wraps or it wont holf my hair.For the second and third wrap I put my pony under my head so the hair ties does not slip because I cant hold it with my right hand.
Let me know if this makes sense, I mght be able to clarify if it does not. But it takes time and patients. But I know she can do it. Dont be afraid to have a freind help though, when I played softball I always had friends do my hair, I think they thought it was fun.

As for the bra, sports bras are tolerable for me but not comfortable because I am now very sensitive under my arm, I can not even wear an under wire any more, that is too painful. I could when I was younger though, I loved them and am sad that I can no longer wear them. I have found that day bras with very thin straps are the most comfortable although not the most supportive. They work for me though, I believe they are hanes brand. to put them on I just put them around my waist backwards so I can snap then then turn it around and pull it up. That seems to work the best.

If you have more questions feel free to email me or ask us all here.
Hope this helps!
Amy 18 ROBPI from MN
hope16_05@hotmail.com

I guess the bra thing is unanamous. I hook in front, turn it and pull up the straps also. I am large busted and was surprised to find front hook bras do not work at all for me.

I do the pony tail a little differant. I prop the injured arm on the wall. I use the good hand to gather the hair into the ponytail and then slip the hair into the propped up injured hand. I then take the ponytail holder and put it on the ponytail with the good hand.
I always have trouble getting it centered, so I put it off center to the side so it looks like it is suposed to be off center and kinda trendy.

I know you want to find all the tricks you can for your daughter, but you will be surprised how quickly she will find out what works for her and teach you the new tricks

She is lucky to have a Mom who tries to help her so much. She will grow up with good self esteem and confidence.

-sunny