United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

BOY! I second everything everyone has shared.
But for me, I cannot allow my LOBPI hand near my hair as it can be an "Iron CLaw" that won't let go..I have lost clumps of hair when I was in a hurray and used it to "help"...LOL. I guess we all have "Funnies" to tell...I laugh & marvel at how I used to put on a girdle in the 1950's until 1967 when I found a different way of torchure putting on pantry hose. Thank God for knee-hi's!!..LOL some more!
"Experiment" is the key,...moms &teens.It can be fun too & helps with developement of a sense of humor which I consider my best survival tool I have.
Hugs all around everyone,
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI

I agree with the bra idea of fixing in front and swiveling around.
As for the ponytail I could never do it laying down because my arm couldn't go above my head due to the contractures but that is brilliant! I had to sit on my bed, bend my left leg (LOBPI), prop my left elbow on my knee, turn my head to the right, and then could use both hands to put my hair up. If in a hurry I would put my foot up on the vanity and do the same thing. And yes, my ponytails were always off the the side a bit. After Mod Quad though I can do it like a regular person now. Suzy

Thank you all for your "tricks" I will pass them on to her and see which one she likes the best. I really like the lying on your back and letting gravity help, Arianna has a younger brother (4yrs old-non BPI) who loves to help her so maybe they find their own way. Kids are so great at finding new ways of doing things. Anyway Thanks
Tracy

Washing hair is a challenge for many. I would recommend getting a good shampoo, *being an ex hairstylist* because you really need very little shampoo and it seems to lather up a bit more due to it's less water content. It may be easier for her to scrub with one hand this way. I would also recommend a spray in/leave-in conditioner. There is a great leave in conditoner from Matrix that works excellent for long curly hair. As far as the bra thing, I have always had trouble with my bra slipping off my shoulder. I have a racer back bra from Victoria's Secret that hooks in the front. It has been a life saver. I need to see if they have more I can order. I know she's a bit young for VS but it really does work great and it's very basic looking.

Well, I was always big on braiding my hair when I went to a sleepover anyway, just so I didn't have to wash my hair for a night... LOL

As for the ponytail thing: I am ROBPI, and I've found a way to kneel in front of the bathroom sink mirror, prop the left arm up on the counter, and work with it that way. But if I am in a hurry, I just lean my head back, brush my hair, gather it with my one good hand, and kind of use my left shoulder to substitute. I swing my ponytail over my shoulder, and lean my head/neck on the hair to hold it in place, as I slip the scrunchie off of my good hand (right at the ends of my fingers), twist, and repeat!

I hope that made any sense at all. I have virtually no stregth at all in my left hand, so this helps to make up for both the arm and hand.

Above all else, tell her to just keep trying what seems natural to her. Nobody was ever able to help me with the ponytail thing, I just eventually figured it out on my own. We have an amazing ability to do that, don't we!?! Good luck!

Shelly

I have to agree with all the suggestions above. For a ponytail I have many ways to get my hair up, most of which were mentioned, but I have to say....anything that can prop up my LOBPI works...sometimes I sit at the dining room table, or if I am trying to do a quick fix in the car, I will prop my arm up on the window.....Any handy thing around that will work to prop up my arm will do in a pinch:)

Bumping up for Cristina. This one helped me too!
Carolyn J

You wash your hair like me. I prop my arm on the shower ledge and pudh it up to grab my head--of course once the arm is up there it can't do anything but sit--is that weird or what. I can hold the hairdrier if it has a long nozzle and point to dry it--just can't style it, so I keep it short and curl it under in the front and brush it back.
I do get tired explaining to paople why I can't do a certain thing with the top or back of my hair. What part of I can't reach do'nt they understand.

Pat

I personally have a much harder time with a bra that clasps from the front. And I also can't seem to get a sports bra on and situated in less than (literally) 5 minutes. I, too, clasp a regular bra in front around my belly, twist it around, and put arms through, affected arm first.

As for a ponytail, I put the band around my unaffected arm, and pull my hair back with the same hand. This is easy for me because my hair is straight. It may be harder for your daughter. Then I bend over, prop my BPI elbow on the sink, a low shelf, the counter, a dresser, etc. From there, I think it will depend on the strength of your daughter's BPI hand to determine how to get the band around. This is the best way for me, but it does take some practice and patience. I think had my mom do my hair for me almost all the time until I moved out of the house! Then I really had to start practicing! I think this is the best method, because she can do it at a friend's house in the bathroom, or in a stall at the pool where nobody can see her and make fun of her. I know how kids are, and sometimes they're not so nice. I hope this is helpful to your daughter!

Yesterday I gave a bridal shower for both my niece and my niece-to-be. At one point my niece took her long, straight hair in both her hands, pulled it back, and then twisted it and raised it up at the same time. All she needed was a clip to fasten it, and she would have had a second hairdo. It literally took her two seconds to make that new hairdo. I was jealous. I thought about this thread, and my own experiences with my hair. I was 17 years old before I could style my hair by myself. Back then I used rollers. Now I keep my curly hair short. I wash it with one hand, sometimes in the shower, and sometimes at the bathroom sink. I style it with a round brush in my non-BPI hand, and a blow dryer. For some of the styling, I have to prop my BPI elbow on the countertop and bend over. I let the bottom back section of hair dry by itself, because I can't reach it with my BPI arm. Fortunately I like the way it curls by itself as it dries.

As for bras, I have a VERY hard time fastening the ones that fasten in the front. I use the hook and eye, back fastening bras. I fasten them in the front, turn them around my body, insert my BPI arm and pull up the strap, and then repeat that process with my non-BPI arm.

Joanie