United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Francine,
I think this is a great idea, nice question! As much as it will help Maia, it can help me too. Although asking for help is so very difficult when we are so strong headed I have a lot of trouble with asking for help, but I am getting better. One point I might make is although it is very important to have the option to ask for help do not let it become some much of a habit that she doesn't try to do any thing or uses it as an excuse or a limitation!

Now for my actual advice: what my student therapist at my college is having me do this year is work on doing every thing just right handed so that in my daily activities I learn to give my right(bpi) hand a turn. The more I am able to use both my hands together the longer I should have before all the overuse stuff kicks in. So much of it is very hard to break my one handed habits but I really think it will be awesome for me, I already notice that I use my right more than I used to. recently we started playing catch first with a foam ball then a weighted ball and a cut off milk jug or I think mine was a bleach jug. something you can cut the end off of. Anyway my student therapist would toss the ball and I have to catch it with out compensating (well as much as possible). Its a really great work out for my hand and it fun so it does not seem like therapy.

Well that got kinda long but my main point is to try and use both hands as much as possible (without compensation as much as possible). This will strengthen like crazy. Ald like the others said stretches!!!! Keep every thing limber!!!

Hope that helps, again a very great idea!
Amy 19 ROBOPI from MN

Francine,

I think everyone who saw your questions before I did gave you wonderful answers.

I wish that I had listened to my parents and tried to use my left (BPI) hand more than I did. I am a natural righty, so it was always so much easier to do things with my right hand. I just took the easy way out. From all the years of not using my left arm and hand, I now have very limited use of them.

I also have overuse issues with my right arm and hand. I have to be more careful now, and not do things that I used to do because I know that doing those things now will cause me pain and/or injury. I marvel at the fact that I used to bowl on a league. I sure couldn't do that now.

Joanie

Bumping up for Glen.

This is a problem you will have if you decide to live life to the fullest. I am 52 years old male with severe LOBP injury. I have done everything everyone with two good arms has done. I have played every sport going including a softball pitcher at very competive levels. Growing up in a large family on a farm was very challenging. When you are told you cannot do something due to your arm that just gave me more incentive to do it.
My mom tried to protect me and Dad let me go.
I had a great time and now the right arm is paying the price as is the rest of my body.
The left arm has been broken in more places than I can remember. Three surgeries to get it turned around in front of me. The right arm (my good one) has tendon problems, rotator cuff, carpal tunnel surgery and it has had the hand broken a few times.
As I type this the hand is paining as is the rest of my body. I take very little for pain and remain very active.
The decision is yours. Yes, if you are active you will overuse your good are. That is a given, But you will also abuse your whole body
I would not trade my past for anything. I believe that everything happens for a reason. My arm has made me a far better person and has forced me to do things to improve myself.
Do not let it be a burden, as a person with a BP arm you have to figure out new methods to accomplish everyday chores. This develops your mind into a good problem solver.
As I said before. You are going to hurt. You may be on first name basis with the orthopedic doctors and you may know the name of all the pain killers, but do let it hold you back.

WELCOME, Butler!!

Thanks for sharing you life's perspective. I do very much hope that you return here to share your life experiences and perspective as Parents and others ask us Adults questions.

I am glad you found UBPN and chose to post. Y'ALL Come back. I continue to learn from every one who posts here.

Carolyn J
LOBPI/68 & Proud of it!

Hello Francine,
Good to see you again. Although we all wish we could have done things differently it still affects the good side no matter what.

I always had the attitude that I could do it and no matter what my arm wasn't going to stop me. So, therefore the over use was tremendous.
Living here in Montana we cut wood a lot to heat our houses. Unfortunately, I remember being in so much pain after cutting wood but I surely did not want the boys to out do me so I would do it to the best of my ability.
As odd as it sounds when I was younger and did not know much about my injury who would of thought it would affect me later down the road.
Strength exercises as we all know are the best for us but even then it hurts.

A person has to live life to the fullest and unfortunately it won't be without over use of our so called bad arm.

*HUGS*
Your such a strong person and Maia will appreciate you so much for helping her through all of this.

Bumping up for Angie.
:^) Carolyn J