United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Tom,

Tell us more about qualifying as a Master Scuba.
Did you have any difficulties? any limitations? Do you need to adapt in some way? Many of us have lung problems as a result of the injury and personally, I've always been a bit concerned about going deep in the water.

Nancy

It was nice to here from you to. I just want to help If I can.I just want to show people with erbs that you can find things In life that can make a person with erbs happy finding them is only a point of what that is.A person could look at there disibity as something to be bitter about or you can do something else and have compation for others.

It was nice to here from you to. I just want to help If I can.I just want to show people with erbs that you can find things In life that can make a person with erbs happy finding them is only a point of what that is.A person could look at there disibity as something to be bitter about or you can do something else and have compation for others.

Hi Tom and welcome,
Thank you for posting and introducing yourself. My daughter is 11 with a left arm injury...so I'm a parent who is trying to let her lead me. Lately things seem to be coming up that I sure need some advice about - and an ear to hear my thoughts. You sound like a great role model with a lot of determination. I'm so glad that you posted - and welcome!!
Christy

Hi Tom, name's Steve, I'm 37 erb's in left arm.
I been postin' here from time to time over the 2 yr.s or so. When I got my CDL I told the Doc he had better not fail me on my physical 'cause of my arm or I would show him what I could with my 'bad arm', he got a kick out of that. I don't drive the beer truck anymore though.
I just thought I'd say hi and welcome.

well I learned something,that I didnt know lung problems? Latter tell me more.For now Ill go on first I belive that water is one of the best theropy for any person with any disiblity no gravity.Some people have a problem being in water and shouldent be in it becuse of fear,and Ill never jump out of a plane. I learn young how to swim a side stroke one handed.Latter I did a mile swim and I was on this swim with a buddy that had one leg that was one of are best days of are lives and that was the day I learned that I cant let my disibity stop me ever from trying.And I am also a big fan of the boy scouts they are all about learning and trying.Gust like they let me and my buddy do the mile swim and girl scouts do the same thing.I just wanted to give you some back ground.I have been diving sents 1981,Ive done over 200 dives and seen many Islands and was on a shark dive and got some great pictures, that was in Freport in the Bahamas. Now If a person wants to learn how to dive,you start in a pool and sit on the bottom and get use to breathing threw a regulater this is done threw a dive shop at a very low cost.Then you take lessons and then you go in a lake or the ocean.At first you use alot of air,after time you dont you get used to being under water for person like us you use your one arm to swim now here is the surpize after you dive awhile you dont even yous one arm you float under the water just like a fish waitless and you use very little air.I have been on dives with divers that are in wheel chairs.To end water is a gift for us. sorry about my spelling talk to you later.

I will help you the best I can you have taken the first step by letting the child to try.Determination is what its all about you learn what you can do and what you cant .the important thing is to focus on ability and not disiblity will she cry when she can do something sure I did to. But when you find what you can find thats Joy and it just makes you try more thing and those are your gifts.But all of this is a growing expreance for you and your child.

You bet,You can never keep a good person down.And in are case stop us from trying.

Welcome to the boards Tom. I am 42 robpi. I guess we could go canoeing together. LOL I got certified in scuba. I only dove on a couple of trips. I always had trouble breathing. It felt like a ton of bricks was sitting on my chest. Years later I was diagnosed with asthma.

I'm 50 with erbs in my left and have recently found out I have it in my right also.From reading it seems I'm one of the few who have had surgery.Three to be exact.None of which worked.All I got was 2 years in a statue of liberty cast.My doctor was an orthopedist who seemed to use me as a guinea pig.My mother was told to treat me "normaly".Now it was more like denial.When I moved to N.C.I was having problems with my right arm and hand.Not only was I told I had erbs in my right,I had severe scoliosis and have had two surgeries for cysts in my spinal chord.They have been there since birth.There will be more surgeries in the future becaus the spinal fluid has no where to drain.Aftert the age of 18 there was no more phisio.They said it wouldn't work.I to had to fight for disability.I didn't get it until my neurosurgeon classified me as having a spinal chord injury.I do have a wonderful husband and two great kids.I'm also a grandma.I know I haven't helped,but it feels so good to find people with erbs.Like so many people Ithought I was alone.Thank you so much!Andrea53