United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

When I found UBPN at age 60 and read all the posts from Mom about how guilty they felt I was in pain.

I began to think about my Mom and realize how much she blamed her self for my injury. I think that was the first time I was angry at the doctor who did this to me.
He cause my mother so much pain. She never shared her pain with me when she was alive and for years I thought it was no big deal to my mother. It was just something we had to live with... It took camp and meeting with Mom's and daughters to see myself and my mother and realize just how much she suffered. I wish I had been able to tell her before she died that I never once thought it was her fault. I wish UBPN and bpi information and support was there for her. I am very proud at how open, caring and hard working my mother was without any help just LOVE.

Kath (robpi)

I would have liked more compassion and understanding.53 yrs ago not alot was known.mom took me to the best hospitals and I had 3 surgeries.She was told to treat me like a normal child.I wasn't and it showed.PE was torture but I to was forced to take it.Never passed and kids made fun of me.
I don';t blame my parents.They did what they thought was right.Without the pushing I may not be as determined as I am today.Of course I'm totally disbled because it was disovered 10 yrs ago I have bpi in my rt as well as left.
Thanks for the question.
Andrea

My mother felt guilty, too. She said that she had been thirsty throughout her pregnancy with me, and that she had quenched that thirst with grapes. Perhaps if she had not eaten so many grapes, I would not have gotten so large that I got stuck in her birth canal.

I pointed out to her that she had already told me that I was the only baby she carried to term. My siblings might have been the same size I was, if they had been carried to term. We don't know that the grapes had anything to do with it.

We didn't speak of it again. As I wrote above, my parents didn't often talk about things they found painful. I don't know how long my mother carried that burden of guilt.

Joanie

I too, told my Mother before she died 6 years ago that I did not blame her or hold her responsible for my "Disability". She was 94 then, & this was the best "non-hurting" word for HER. She said in so many words that she did blame herself.
I do know she was at peace about it when the end came.

Hugs to everyone & CAMP 2007 or Bust!,
Carolyn J
LOBPI,Age 68 & proud of it!

I think I might just cry....again.

My parents were great in that they didn't treat me any different which I think think helped me cope.