United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My son is twelve and his neurologist has suggested we consult with a surgical team that does muscle grafts. Have you ever heard of this? I am asking because your Jameson is 13.

thank you. I found your posting encouraging and inspiring.

No I've never heard of this....We are seeing another doctor tomorrow for a second opinion on osteotomy...Where are you located? Your son sounds a lot like mine!
T.

My son is 3 years old with a right arm bpi. It is definetely smaller than his left. His arm and his hand are smaller. Sometimes I really don't notice it, especially when he wears long sleeves. When he has on short sleeves and I really look at him then reality strikes again and it is noticable. I too wonder when he gets older if he will be able to bulk up that arm. I know the length will not catch up but it would be nice if it wasn't so skinny.

I always keep my co-workers advise in mind when I think about what the kids will do. He is very tall and thin and was teased all the time (even though I think he is quit attractive). He told me no matter what, kids will tease other kids. Just think about it. Kids without any type of injury tease each other. To be quit honest aren't we as adults quilty of talking about other people who aren't the proper height weight color etc. etc. So don't worry kids will be kids and mothers are there to mold our children into confident people. I hope this helped.

My son is 3 with a right bpi. After reading your message you have lefted my outlook on his future. I really try not to prevent him from trying new things. After reading your story if he wants to do it then so be it. It's always nice to read positive stories.

Thanks

My lobpi arm is 6 inches shorter. I never realized how short it was until my therapist measured it last year. And since I cannot fully extend, she measured first shoulder to elbow and then elbow to fingertips to gain a more accurate measurement. Most of the shortness is in the shoulder to elbow area and it does affect function. But since it has always been that way, I have adapted. Where I notice it most is in driving. I have to sit closer to the wheel than one usually does. And when sitting in a chair with arms, I find I lean to the left (bpi side) so that that arm can rest. I've learned to prop to assist in achieving a comfort level. It's especially tough on an airplane and I think the discomfort has more to do with the shortness than with anything else.

It is most irritating when purchasing long sleeve clothing because I always have to roll up the sleeve. (Just another reason to live in a warmer climate!)

No one ever notices, probably because I never ever stand with both arms down at my side and few people ever do that anyway. I usually have something in one of my arms that disguises the differing lengths.

What role this plays in balance issues is a question. Surely it must affect balance and helps to explain some of the balance issues we all have.

Nancy

I am in Chicago. My son's neurologist said that this is a relatively new procedure. The team of doctors only does intake/evaluation 1 day each month. We've been waiting since early January and our appointment is today. Michael is an awesome kid. Much tougher than I will ever be. He just desn't give up. His current issue is that as he goes through his preteen growth spurt, his right arm and shoulder are not growing at the same pace as his left. The team we are meeting with include a neurologist, an orthopod and a plastics doc. We're a bit nervous. Where are you from?

Cynthia, Michael has many accumulated many "against the odds" stories and your son will too. After reading you posting, I thought about the things that went through my mind when Michael was three. I worried about sports. He enjoys baseball, football, tennis, Karate (although his form is not perfect, he won a 3rd place trophie), street hockey and basketball. He has had to work harder than most kids, but he doesn't mind. He just persists until he figures out a way. He is right handed, but that is his affected arm. When he can't get his right arm to do what he wants it to do, he builds skills on the left side. He bats both righty and lefty, but throws strictly lefty. He struggles a bit with hand-writing because of wrist position, but he gets the job done. Looking back, I am amazed at all that I worried about that became non-issues in reality. Michael wanted me to tell you, "If he works at it, it's not that big of a deal. It's a pain in the butt sometimes, but most of the time I don't even remember it's there. Every kid in my class knows about it, but they never tease me, about that anyway...they tease me about being smart mostly, but everybody gets teased about something." His words exactly.