United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi Marcie,
I'm also glad you found us here.
One other thing you may want to check is the "Resources" link from the homepage of this site.
Click on the "Online Directory" and from there click on the left box for U. S. Listings and then your state to see if anyone is in your area.

Good to hear that you have your son in therapy and now he is improving!

All the best to you and your family,
Peggy Ferguson,
UBPN

Thanks for all the responses! It was great to hear from everyone.

We're in Las Vegas to those who asked. We're going to see our PT tomorrow to talk with her about Lukas' improvement. It's har to read some of the replies but I'm trying not to let it affect my positivity. Lukas has full movement of his shoulder, can squeeze with his hand, bend his wrist and as of recently can bend his elbow. He cannot do it all the time or fully bring his hand to his mouth yet but he's trying. At birth he couldn't use his arm at all and it was lifeless at his side. Contractures in the first two fingers have seemed to disappear and he'll be getting a hand splint in a week or so.

Also...I've received e-mails from lawyers that have skimmed this site. From what I understand BP happens and it can't really be blamed on anyone. The doctor who delivered my son seemed to do the best he could given the situation. Am I wrong to assume that he wasn't at fault?

Hi,

I'm glad you found this board and got so many responses!

My name is Krista and I live in Finland. I have a daughter, Suvi. She has OBPI in her left arm/hand. Her case was quite bad and she was operated when she was 2 months old.

She still has quite poor hand and finger movemenet, but she is a really happy and sparky little girl!

Hi My name is Nicki-we are from Wisconsin. My daughter Hannah who just turned 3 has LOBP. We to of course at birth were told everything would be alright and it would correct itself at 6wks. Yah right? I have learned not to believe everything we are told.

She has not had any surgeries up to this point. We are scheduled for Mod Quad and Texas Children's Hospital in July. She can raise her arm only to her mouth and it is bent at a 90' angle most of the time. She can supinate a little. We are also scheduled for a EMG on May 21, Which will hopefully tell us a whole lot more.

She has seen several Doctors. Resulting in the referral we just go today to go to TCH from her Primary care physian.

I have learned so much from this site and Francine site. Read and ask lot of questions!!!

Nicki

HI MY NAME IS TISHA. MY SON HAS ERBS PALSY AND IS ALMOST 9 MONTHS. I WAS TOLD HE COULD NOT MOVE HIS RIGHT ARM BECAUSE OF HOW I CARRIED HIM. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT HE WOULD OUT GROW THIS AND HE MIGHT NOT EVER RECOVER FROM THIS. BUT THROUGH THE HELP OF GOD HE IS CRAWLING. HE CANNOT STRETCH HIS RIGHT ARM AND NOW THEY WANT TO DO SURGERY ON HIS ARM.

New Mom:

BPI is not necessarily the result of the negligence of the OB that delivered. However, you may ultimately want a jury to decide that question. Generally, this injury is the result of excessive pulling on the head when the shoulder is stuck, stretching the neck.

My suggestion would be to get copies of all your pregnancy related medical records, including those of your child. Contact a reputable lawyer when you feel you are ready to deal with that aspect of the injury.

Your first priority should be the health of your child.

Clint

I am sorry to here about your experince. This is a great, supportive community though. My daughter's story through 18mo is at my old website
http://www.tr.k12.in.us/trh01/hutchinc/bpi.htm
She is continuing to make improvments. We are very please with how far she has come. I wish you the best of luck.

Dear Clint,

Although I am a new member to this community, and I thank you for excepting me to the group. I am baffeled by your coment, unless you are a lawyer. Let a jury decide, If you do the research you can ultimately come to the realization whether or not the O.B.G.Y.N. was negligent and below the standard of care, You don't need to have a jury decide this. If I have taken offensive to your comment and taken it out of its context, please forgive me. I am new and not quite familiar with personalities yet. If I am not then at least I have said my peace.

sincerly

Dear Momintraining:

I am not a lawyer, just a parent of an injured child.

As such, I can easily reach a conclusion that the care my wife and child received was sub-standard and negligent. But that is only worth something to me personally. There is no financial compensation for that personal conclusion. Negligence in a legal sense can only be determined by a jury.

My intent was to subtly tell "New Mom" that this injury can be a legal issue and that the information she was receiving from her OB may not be accurate. She should get her records, at a minimum. I also wanted to convey to her that her childs wellfare is the most important thing right now. I did not want fill her with hate, just inform her that she should be aware.

Please email me directly if you would like to discuss further.

Clint