United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My emg specialist is obpi. He singlehandedly ( no pun ) diagnosed the extent of my injury. Even performed the surgical emg directly to my spine.

I must say meeting him was rather inspiring !

Mikey

Andrew- I believe you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it. I have been a Physician Assistant since 1993 and will graduate from med school this May. There was never any discrimination against me. I must admit, during surgery clerkship holding retractors was a bear and manipulating instruments was at times odd but all was manageable. I actually considered surgery as a profession but have decided against it! Good luck with your choices, the sky is the limit!!!
karen

The only limitations are the ones we place on ourselves, and like everyone, we can work our strengths and work on our weaknesses.

After my bpi 20+ years ago, I left my factory job and started university, took it to a PhD and taught for a few years. Started a technical editing and writing consulting business with a friend and then listened to the siren song of corporate life. I currently manage a technical writing department, a translation group, and a training programme. I am busier than the proverbial paper hanger and enjoy myself immensely. Ironically, my bpi has lead in directions I never could have imagined.

Go figure.

Henry

andrew don't let this injury determine what you can do! Iam a quail hunting guide and farmer I work 50-60 hour weeks and Ive got awife and a child due in august. I will not let this injury slow me down or determine what i can or cant do and neither should you. You can do anything a two armed person can do, you just do it a little different than they do.

go Lizzy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mary

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Hi... This is my first time writing on this site as I just found it today. . . bare with me!

I would like to answer your question. I am an International Business Developer for my company. I have a severe TBPI that has left me totally without the use of my right arm and hand. I am also in constant and often driving pain. However, I find that the more I focus on my function the better I feel. I travel around the world for my work which can be troublesome giving my Arthodesis and the metal detectors don't get along. (I find that if you let the screeners place their hand on your shoulder to feel the screw heads they are very understanding.)

My company has been extermely understanding of my limitations and treat me like any other business professional. I always thought it would be tough shaking with my left hand to meet others but I am used to it now and it is not a big deal.

End of the day, it is my belief that you can do what ever you want as long as you understand your limitations and develop methods to control the pain. I also feel that companies typically look for people who can perform the functions they need performed. There is no real reason why I can't develop business internationally for my company with one arm and as long as I produce results my company feels the same.

The key is to direct yourself into a profession that you find interesting enough today and one that you can see your self doing for a lifetime. You will do yourself a dis-service if you try to find a profession based on the injury your have. What is better is to find something that you enjoy and develop methods to perform the work with what you have. Your profession frames who you will ultimately be, it is therfore very important to do something that is rewarding and makes you happy.

Steve's experience is very similar to mine. My company does not look at my one-armed, moderately gimpy,self. They pay me to run my part of the business and for my performance. I think that this is to their credit, and I expect nothing else from others I do business with. If you deal with me according to my injury, I will take advantage of you. If not, we will start as equals.

The left-handed shaking is an interesting aspect. This is a bit of a generalization, but I find it interesting to compare the personalities of those who adapt immediately and shake left handed without a second thought and those who never seem to get it. That, however, could be another another thread, perhaps even a graduate thesis

I've also learned to factor the pain into the business life. Those who need to know, do, and accommodate the pain management techniques when they are necessary.

The last point is also a good one. My profession is an extension of me, not my injury, even though it is accommodating of the limitations of the injury. But it lets me separate myself and my accomplishments from the injury, and that is a huge validation.

This is an interesting post Steve,

Thanks,

H

I am sooooooo loving these postive posts!!!
Congrats to all of you that when on in your professional life!
Kath

Liz, I can not sit for very long periods of time without pain being a factor. Actually I can't sit, stand, walk, ride in a car or lay down for long periods of time. Laying down is not as bad as the others. Walking and standing are about the worst. I never know for sure what to do with my arm! Thus, causing a strain on the shoulder/arm and making everything flare up.