United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Kayla has a pass to leave early as well and most of her classes are upstairs with only a few downstairs plus the cafeteria. Her pass also allows her to use the elevator as well. That way if she does not get out early or there are those days her right leg just doesn't seem to want to work at all then she will take the elevator.

She knows which class she needs to leave early in so she has enough time and which one she really does not have to. This is also the time when she goes to the restroom as well though because they only get so many passes to go for a six weeks. I believe the teachers don't even say anything to Kayla about leaving she just leaves and doesn't make a big deal about it. I like it because I pick her up at the end of the day (she hates the loud bus ride home) so she is one of the first to get out.

As far as the scoliosis, Kayla has that but hers was diagnosed early before puberty. From the ribs being deformed I believe that is what caused hers.

Best of luck.

Carolyn - I always felt a connection to you! Will you be my new mommy?

Francine - I can't speak to any of those issues. I didn't experience a lot of pain growing up. I has some pain in my bicep my freshman year of high school, but my ortho said it was from carrying stacks of books - I worked in the school bookstore.

Lisa
LOPBI/41

Lisa
I'm so glad you posted... It saved me from spilling my guts! That was my life and my fears!

Francine... I had two girls and they are 14 months apart! Life is difficult for teenagers between hormones and peer pressure.
I think it's harder on the obpi child because we begin to realize we are really different and have challenges that other kids just don't have or understand.
BPI feelings are so hard and just add to that difficult time of life.

Teenage girls are truly Drama Queens because of the highs and lows they experience. My advice is to have a sense of humor and help Maia keep hers...
It will truly see her through all the teenage drama and help her adjust too many of our bpi challenges in life. It is so important to keep the lines of communication open.
Try not to show how hurt you will feel when she faces the bullies. All teenagers face the cats at one point or another.
I think bpi kids relate everything back to them being different. It has nothing to do with how their parents tried to support good self-esteem, it’s just life.
If Maia senses your upset and in pain because of her…she will not tell you things in order to protect you from more hurt.

I had more pain during that time and was sick more often. Emotional problems are a big thing for teenagers and even harder today when everyone is expected to look like Barbie dolls. ( I always hated Barbie).
The best thing you can do for any teenager is to listen without judgment.
Keep talking even if they don't want to listen, even if it appears as if they are not listening...trust me they do!

I found my teenage years difficult. I was not comfortable in my own skin. I became more aware of my limited abilities.
I began to hide my arm because no one understood (except my Mother). I hated gym and changing my clothes.
I began to have more back problems during my teens and was aware of more pain. I think like all growth spurts my teen years were difficult physically.
I felt clumsy and I’m not clumsy even at my age… But I was during my teens.
I began to get B-12 shots in my early teens because of the nerve spasms in my right arm. I had times when I was in bed with the heating pad and ointments because of back pains.
I use to wonder why, I had so many back and pain problems like an old person. Because none of my friends had backaches and I had them all the time.

Most of all pray for wisdom and a sense of humor.

You've been there before with your older daughter. You will do it again and better this time because you survived the first time... LOL.

Kath robpi/adult/69

YES YES, Lisa, you CAN BE the daughter I never had !! Yippee someone likes this bossy " Lady!!!...

Carolyn J
Lobpi

Kath - thanks for your info....

This summer was a middle school preparatory summer for Maia.... she didn't go to camp this year - but she had all these activities that she did privately in hopes to strengthen her body/mind/and soul. She had a personal trainer, did private yoga and breathwork, worked with a pottery mentor and had swimming lessons. Her body has tightened up a bit, she is a bit less clumsy physically. Her endurance is better. She's learned some good relaxation and breathing skills. And she's way more competent in the water now and can do ok in the deep end. She's talked to a lot of people about mean kids and bullying. We spent time at the school and she seems to have a compassionate teacher and a good guidance counselor. She's a music kid - so the kids in her music groups seem to be really nice and to date there's been no bullying from them. Maia and I also talk about her communication skills and we work on them - role playing. She's going to continue with her trainer and yoga and pottery instructors - each of these women have kids her age and can advise her - she loves all of them, so if she feels she can't come to me, she can certainly talk to them.

She's reduced some of the physical differences in her body so there's less to "point at". She's up to date with hair, nails, clothes, shoes, etc.

She's taking remedies and seeing a great chiro who helps with her pain - she's spent all summer eating really healthy and we've really boosted her immune system. We created this amazing fruit smoothy that (secretly) contains all the vitamins, minerals, omega3s, fiber, protein, etc. that she loves to drink so that'll be breakfast or lunch for her. So this will help with her pain mechanisms as well (daily magnesium and D3 plus B's).

I think it'll be a great year once she gets there and gets over the fear of the "new".

I'm worried about her being on the 2nd floor but I have to let go of that -- it's taken her years to learn how to do stairs and this will be the first time she has to do it during her day at school... I just have to let it go. Her summer training really strengthened her legs and core so she should be better at them now and walking them every day, multiple times a day will strengthen her further and give her more confidence on them.

so I think we made amazing headway this summer...
now, the momma just has to relax a bit and let the girly do her stuff!

-francine

Fran:
This is such a tough time for every kid. However, we are so accustomed to seeing every little thing in our bpi kids.

I think it's great that you did something different for Maia this summer, we also changed up our routine for the summer and Juliana's personal growth was huge. She is not as "pubescent" perhaps as Maia and I'm hoping she holds off for a while!! Two menstruating PMS-ing teenagers is enough for me!!!! I don't need a third!

Juliana really learned to speak up for herself and had to make new friends. Plus, she had to navigate a new campus.

Although we want to level the playing field, and our 504 plans do that to some extent, there does come a time when we need to just back off and let the kids go. It amazes me what they are capable of when we let them fly. You've given Maia a great basis, so now just let her go. She'll make friends, there will be enemies. Self esteem is soooo important at this age and giving kids back their power is one of the best ways to see them stand up straighter. It doesn't mean you abandon ship, it just means you let her navigate these waters on her own and you stand on the shore line.

You know I have 3 kids in high school and some moments have been great (school play, Coaches Award in sports) and some have really stunk.

I am around all the time, I listen to the stories, I offer advice, and I step in when I'm really needed....

good luck,
claudia