United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

One more thing all those ???????????????? are caused by using Microsoft word to check my spelling... LOL...

so it puts ? instead of ' .......... I hate that... I forgot to check it sorry.
Kath

Dear Guest - yes I heard about Vojta! A client of mine is German and she gave me all these documents about it even told me to travel to Germany with Maia to get it and learn how to do it! Sounds pretty harsh now that you explain it.Wow.

I understand now that there are some interpretive language differences.... I get into problems with the Brits online all the time!! (right Karen??)

Well with how you explained your sons behavior I will tell you what Dr. Pape told us at a seminar recently...

"Who's the boss???"

sounds funny but it's really true

We have to really put our foot down with Maia - she's very strong minded - but at the same time we offer her rewards. I try to balance it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

I do wish you some ease with this current situation. Also - keep in mind the age....

good luck,
francine

Francine
LOL LOl LOL

definitely - it's not called a language BARRIER for nothing lol
I am also laughing at Dr Pape's comment - every day in my house you will hear me shout/yell/say
" who's the parent and WHO'S the child?"
still smiling!
Karen

I still remember the dread I used to feel at doing those exercises. They hurt!!! I felt like my best was never good enoughMy mother was only trying to make my arm function better. At 7 years old-- I just knew it hurt and I hated it. Although I think I dreaded taking my shirt off in front of the PT as much as I did the exercise. I was so modest.
I think some of the ideas here are great. Especially the bathtub. Just remember--the arm isn't the whole child. Frustration at not doing things right is such a difficult thing for a child to face. Pat

I had another thought. We have addressed how to creatively work those therapy needs. But I am left wondering How are you all accomplishing the range of motion exercises? Do you sneak those in too? Do you just not do them? Am I missing something. After J.R.s mod/quad surgery in December 2002 they said continue range of motion exercises. I have never been formally instructed on that but everyone just says rotate the arms in repetions. Do your children give you any arguments about these? If you have suggestions for this how about IS anyone else out there getting kicked in the gut by their kids as they try to do scar massage?
Twice a day for five minutes for those of you who have not been involved with this post-operative requirement. Try motivating, camoflaging or making this one a game! Yes I sound overwhelmed and much to uptight about all this! We parents can't win. If we push our kids too much then we are mean unaccepting parents who they resent as adults-maybe. If we do not push our 20 year old might say one day. "Hey why didn't you help me to move my fingers,hand,elbow,arm better? Why do I have such a big scar? What do you mean I didn't want to? I didn't want to go to bed most of the time and you still made me do that?
Again thoughts opinions appreciated!

Hi Again Guest
have you tried doing range of motion exercises to music?
lots of kiddies video or music tapes have exercises to go along with them- you could try and work out a little dance/exercise routine to a music video or evne get JR to help mummy with HER exercises if you can get hold of an exercise video
dancing to music is a good way to get children going
GAvin's favourite was "Simon Says put you hand in the air/on you shoulder/opposite arm/leg" etc etc
also for the scar massage, could you incorprate it into an evening massage after bath and before bed?
If you give JR a whole body massage, he will be relaxed and you can always concentrate a bit more on his scar site - he may not even notice
good luck
Karen

Is there an age at which you would allow the child to give up therapy or refuse other treatment/surgery? I'm just interested from a tbpi perspective, even tho I was an adult and knew the benefits the PT would give me, I still hated it and gave it up as soon as I felt I could get away with it! My parents were not very happy but I was in my 20's so they didn't get much say. I don't know how I'd deal with my child refusing to cooperate, I do know how they feel.... My employers on the other hand were thrilled when I gave it up, they were forced to let me have 3 afternoons a week off work for therapy and boy did they hate that.....

Jenny

I think by 12 or 13 I just would not do it and at about 10, I made a real fuss if anyone touched my arm I wanted to do it my self that stopped the formal therapy.
I did do a lot of things that I thought were play and fooling around with my brother but it was a form of therapy... helping me hang from bars and pretending I was doing hand stands (I would always fall over to right side) my brother held my feet and let me take a walk on my hands... but at about 13 that stuff was too silly and babyish for me... So I joined a Basketball team and we also had hoops on our street and played everyday after school and took dancing lession until about 15... that is how my Mother got around my lack of therapy and of course my refusal to do any more about my arm... I was fine according to me and did not want to be bothered... and really she could not force me...

I think while a child is still growing it is important to keep an active eye on their movement and try different ways of getting them to move - weight bear and stretch... I was Cinderella the laundry girl and washed floors etc... (the only way to get me to move and stretch) It is important for bones as well as keeping contractures from getting to tight especially for kids like me that had no surgery.

I think all the weight bearing walking on hands etc... helped to improve the length of my arm only 3-1/2 inches shorter. I also did cartwheels instead of walking due to the grand rate of family applause...LOL...

I thought I was getting away with it but NO I was just being directed in another. I am grateful my Mother never gave up and kept me moving... Of course she was the boss... She was the parent and I was the child... LOL... and I could leave anytime I wanted to live with the nice parent across the street who let there kids do what ever they wanted... LOL...LOL....

Today I am really glad that my Mother was so good and getting me to move and pushed so hard and never gave up on me... We never fought over it because I did not realize how much she pushed until I matured... she had a smart way of getting me to do what she wanted without me realizing it.

I think by our teens most parents have to really work at getting us to cooperate but they should persist because in the end that is what is best for a growing child... But while our body is growing we should be moving those little arms and hands... to get the most recovery.

Kath

Okay, I am confused but interested in your post for a few reasons. My son's first therapist is a PT who moved to Germany to work with children on a US military base. I do believe it was an army base. Maybe you can find her...her name is Danielle and she is wonderful......leave your e-mail address here if you would like more information.