United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi,
If you dont see it, here is my 5cents
http://www.geocities.com/paulo_go/pics.html
I use to concentrate on things, and find a way of do it. The simple the better.

Paulo

PS. Psychologist can also help, for me is working :0)

I have a 'rocker knife' from Sammons Preston
ph.1.800.323.5547. It is fantastic.

Just a qick post as i'm on my way out.

Took me a year or so post accident to realise i had to get on with it and do things for my self. I had to stop getting frustrated and look at thing logically. No I see difficult things as a challenge and feel good about myself when i manage to get it done.

Built a two tier decking in my garden last year by myself. Took me 4 months. most difficult thing I've done with one arm. But I look at it now and think it was a job well done.

So my advice hang in there and I'm sure things will get easier. It's all about acceptance. BUT never be afraid to ask for help when you really need it.

And finally. I have a super king size bed and manage fine. Fitted sheets are the answer.

Best of luck

My daughter Kelly's right arm was paralyzed when she was 12 and she is now 19. She is a Sophomore in college, the photo editor of the school newspaper (takes most of the pictures), and a paid photographer with only her left arm. She was a foreign exchange student in High school (gone for a year) and now speaks fluent spanish. The point is.....you can do it...or you can get angry all over again. She is like that girl that lost her arm to the shark. She doesn't look back. Just does everything she can and is glad to be alive.
The frustration will always come especially if you were older when it happened. DON'T GIVE UP.

Lemonvail,
Do you know what kind of camera your daughter Kelly uses?

My right arm is injured as well and I do take photos with my left hand,
but I'm always keeping a look out for any cameras that are easier to use with the left hand
(since %99.9 are sent up for right hand or both hands usage).

I like your daughters spirit!

Thanks,
Chris

One of the things I didn't see anyone else mention was the following:

You'll need to embarrass yourself every now and then to accomplish everything. Sometimes there is ways around it but sometimes you just have to look stupid doing things. I can tell you from experience however that looking stupid is a much better feeling then frustration. Doing things one handed isn't easy and there are a lot of things in this world that don't help. You mention burgers? I'm not a big burger guy but I love me the burrito. I can't cut them one handed and you usually can't hold them one handed without the thing falling apart. I usually end my meal with a big pile of tortilla, sour cream, meat, veggies, rice, etc. all mixed in a basket as the thing falls apart. It's a meal fit for a two year old and that's the only way to eat it too. I'll tell you what though I don't care if I look like a two year old because 5 min after I walk out of there no one will care and I'll be full.

I don't even care if I make a bloody mess of the condiments either. I'll spill ketchup, soda, ice, whatever all over the place. Not my problem if the restaurant can't make it one hand friendly. I've had this injury long enough that it isn't my problem.

But, in saying all that I've learned a few things that does avoid frustrations from the past. When eating at nice restaurants with co-workers I only order things I can eat with one hand like fish. I avoid things like steak and crab. It can be a real pain in the arse to bypass a free surf and turf dinner but the last thing you want is everyone looking at you at a business dinner. However, if I am with people I know I'll order anything I want and eat it like a two year old without care. I limit how much I buy when I go shopping so I can carry it in with one hand. This requires going to the store on a much more regular basis but it avoids 10 trips back and forth to the car.

When I first had this injury the most frustrating thing for me was fast food. I used to be a fast food junky. Hop in the car, order at the window, get back home, and eat. The frustrating part? Getting home with that combo meal and soda in one hand and unable to open the front door. Having to set everything down every step of the way. Oh, and that is _if_ the soda made it home. Most of the time it would fling out the cup holder and spill all over the car and all I could do was look at it. It would just get my blood boiling. Now? I just avoid fast food or I'll eat at the restaurant. I never order soda to go either.

To sum up... you get frustrated with things enough you stop doing them. Some things I miss but it just isn't worth it anymore. I've found a routine that provides for a fairly un-frustrating day and I stick to it. You'll find a way like we all do. Happy thanksgiving.

oh.. and do what I did recently... get a queen bed and buy a king fitted sheet for it. It makes for some vary easy bed making. Anyone figure out an easy way to do pillow cases yet?

Everybody here has been offering great ideas and support. For me a lot of curious thoughts have come to light as well. See ipeverwhere's topic on 'The one particular item' and I think the two topics go hand in...well never mind that.
I share an apartment with my absentee 17yr old son Jacob. When asked 'How's that working out?' I always reply, 'Well he comes and goes and I stay and pay.' Our conversations are usually while he has a hand on the doorknob and someone outside waiting in the car.
By the time he returns I've hopefully already returned in sleep to the world of '2150a.d.' a conceptual book about alternate living by Dr. Thea Alexander.
You will have to have read this book to understand my meaning and location but I can tell you this is a place like no other and I try hard to return there every night.
When he's here there's nothing he wouldn't do to help if I ask... The reason I bring this up is the Bedding conversations. I have a Queen size bed and sleep 'coma like' every night. When it's time to change the sheets I just rotate the mattress 180 degrees and wash the pillow cases. To put those back on I turn them inside out, then I reach in and grab a handful of pillow(s)and squeeze and fold the pillow(s) and pull. It doesn't get 'em all the way on but more than some of the way. Then I do whatever it takes, mostly shakes, to complete the task. Hey we gotta do what we gotta do right?
Everything else is up to our own devices and a lot of those have been shared here by both topics. I do subscribe to most of them and stay open for others. I think I wrote somewhere that a good Texas burger, once you pick it up, you just keep knawing at it until it's a more manageable size before you can put it down for the first time. The drippings become tasty dips for your french fries.
I was put through a driver rehabilitation program at the VA recently and am a proud, certificate holding, rehabilitated driver. One recommendation noted on said certificate is for a 'Spinner Knob'. A wonderful device if ever there was one but, alas, they have been outlawed here in the Lone Star State as is with probably most states. If anyone can direct me to one I certainly would appreciate it. My local 'reputable' parts shops don't carry them any longer and I haven't quite discovered the 'back alley dealer' as of yet.
I have a copy of my prescription to offer up to Johnny Law should he come a knockin' and I actually have a suicide...err spinner knob on.
Well hey that's more than my .02$ worth...for now.
TTFN,
Scott

Scott,
Dustin also has to have a spinner knob. The rehab drivers course you took should be able to direct you to someone in the area that carries them. They did for Dustin but the dealer wanted $200.00. So, I bought one from e-bay, (there's a handicapped man on there selling them to suppliment his income) it wasn't the cheapest on there but sure is nice (think I paid $40-$5o, it folds away). It's right on the back of his license that he is required to have it so he won't have problems if stopped with it. However lately I have hoped he won't ever need to be handcuffed as this seems it could damage his shoulder more. Not that I need to worry about that with him, the thought just came to mind, perhaps I watch too many cop shows.
Sue

Cop: "put your hands out the window"
Me: "I can't."
Cop: "put your hands out the window!"
Me: "I can't!"

SWAT shows up 20 minutes later.

yeah... I just laugh and reduce my speed to below reckless driving at that point.

I find airport security a pain when they ask you to lift your arms to your side, and I have to explain I can't. Also when a driver beckons me to cross the street I can't wave at the driver to say thanks as my shopping bags are in my good hand and the other hand won't lift, I try to nod but am sure they are wondering why I don't wave. Lightbulbs dont worry me, I get the 6 year ones, and 10 minutes every 6 years I shud be able to cope with getting someone to do it for me. Food I have the lower hand to do albeit awkwardly, luckily I am veggie so never have to cut a steak but again if I am with people I don't know that well, will order pasta or something easy so I dont stress out.