United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello,

I am new here. I have a daughter who was born on January 18th. She has a BPI (right arm).

I have been trying really hard to see her as my beautiful daughter first - her injury second. It is very easy to focus on the arm though.

I have only been at this for 3 weeks so it is all very new to me. I don't what the road ahead holds for her.

Thank you for posting what you did. I believe that I will find a lot of support and encouragement from this forum.

Thanks,
Bonnie

I'm not sure what to say to you moms and dads out there who are trying so hard to do the best you can for your children with this injury. But I will try.

There are days when I too do not want to have to deal with this injury, but it is part of my life. And my parents taught me how best to live with it and I will be eternally grateful to them. I learned that it was a part of who I am, just like my hair is curly and my eyes are brown.

Take a day off, take a week off, take a month off -- whatever you need to shift the focus from the arm. Your children need to know that you accept them as they are and that is hard when you must push them always to stretch to their optimum capability. So when you feel down or when it is too much, take some time, refocus your energy on something else, enjoy your children and your families.

Your kids will grow up and they will be strong and they will be resilient because you have shown them how to be.

Nancy