United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Unless my right arm assists, I can not lift anything above my waist, unless it is very light. I can't even lift a gallon of milk onto the countertop. My left is used mostly for carrying things..the arm extended...like for storage...when it is time to put stuff somewhere, I transfer it to the right first.

I think I would have cried if I had been told to help with the bags, just because I would have been embarrassed knowing that I couldn't do it. I can't believe you were told to do it....Good for the store director for standing up for you.

I just get more frustrated with those around me who "know" me and still don't really get it. Shoot...I have lived in denial so long that in some ways I am still just getting it!

I know we have talked about this before, but sometimes I find myself clutching my shirt with the Erb's hand. I guess it provides support and prevend that awkward free swing that we have from the lack of supination and the crokked elbow. Also, did you know that most people walk with their palm facing their leg? I walk with voth hands facing forward. I fugure I must do that with the good hand so that both of them look alike.
Talk about ramblng. Hope you can understand this post

Oh... my goodness...
I know all of these things annoy us, but it is so nice to be able to talk about it with people who live it and understand it... All the quirks of being obpi.

I have a habit of sticking things under my robpi arm so that my left arm is free to work. I also walk around with things in my hand and forget they are there. I thought at first I was loosing it... but I realize now that other obpi do the same thing... I could be looking for my keys and if they are in my right hand I forget they are there. I think I could walk around all day with something in my hand and not notice it.


Kath

Kath:
Hadn't ever thought about a tag until you brought it up. I've always thought of the handicapped spot as for someone who has trouble walking or uses a wheel chair. I can understand why a tag would be needed by some but I probably won't get one. I can manage to carry most items or use a cart.

The keys in the OBPI hand is real. I find myself doing the same thing. I wonder why I have trouble grasping something and then realize my keys are the problem. Kind of crazy sometimes.

John P.

John

I never thought of getting a tag either. I spent the last 4 years going to PT and 5 years before that with weekly Massage therapy and Chiropractor and here and there different PT facilities now, I finally accept the fact that my left unaffected arm is worn out and beyond healing. I am not sure which doctor suggested I get temporary handicap parking or if it was the PT but I was told to lift nothing anymore. I had the forms filled out by the doctor a very long time before I finally gave in and applied. I always felt that handicap parking was for wheelchair dependent. I did not realize that others like me, with invisible injuries also needed these spaces to function fully. I sometimes still feel a bit uncomfortable when I park, but I have to get over it. Every time I lifted and carried parcels because there was no handicapped parking I re-injured the unaffected arm and paid dearly for it. Not to mention the secondary injury of ostio arthritis in my hands.
Its funny, I really like to walk so I always parked far from the stores just to get some extra exercise. Now I can't do that anymore and it was probably the cause of more injury to my unaffected arm. Carrying babies and bundles and wheeling carts full of groceries and kids at the same time. I never thought it would cause any problems for my unaffected arm because that arm was so strong. I think that is why I try to warn the younger people to be aware that this could happen… especially mothers who are lifting children and laundry and doing the physical tasks that come with raising a family. We can choose not to work at jobs that require lifting but mothering requires a great deal of lifting. I never thought that any of the things I did really impacted my arm until now.


Kath

Kath...

I wanted to say that your posting has really brought home to me the damage I have been causing to my "good" arm. I already have early arthritis in my joints on that side, especially in my hand....I never connected the problems to my LOBPI.....now I know better, and can hopefully avoid the worst of it, or at least put it off.

You have really opened my eyes, and have shown me what will be if I don't change things now. I can not thank you enough for that.

O.K. I took the prod ouch! and went to my docs' office today. I had to pick up a script for pt and asked about a handicapped tag. This was real hard for me to do. The secretary took my script back for him to sign and came back and told me that he only writes handicap tags out for people who have leg problems. I am going to pt and also to a neuroligist at a rehab hospital next month to see what activities and exercise I should be doing.

Boy!I thought I was the only one who is stubborn!I have had the form for at least six mos.All i need is for the dr.to sign it.No problem because he wants me to get one.I thought I was good at hiding erbs until a new friend asked what was wrong with my arms and why i limped.i have bpi in both arms and chandria malformation.i to fumble with wallets and getting things out of pocketbook.As my family knows I am extremely stubborn and I'm afraid of giving in to my disability.I see my dr. next mo.My husband will be taking me to make sure I get my form signed.I ahte it but it really is time.

THe thought of getting a handicap tag never has crossed my mind. I know that I have a handicap of my arm but that all. I dont think I could get a parking tag, it bothers me that my dad wants me to get social security for when I go to college, I am not opposed to a little help but right now I dont need very much, I like being independant.
Amy

Amy,
I know exactly what you are saying and I was just the same at your age. I did not get a tag until age 47. It is when the other arm begins to exhibit damage that you start to think differently.

You should feel that you can do anything at your age!

Nancy