United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Well, Kath and I have returned from our month away visiting both Italy and Greece. We attended the Narakas Symposium in Brescia, Italy and then extended our stay to include travel in both Italy and Greece.

We had a fabulous time spreading Awareness wherever we went.

I can tell you that two OBPI's are better than one. We found that together we could even put the luggage in the overhead -- what a team!

We all still have a long way to go in getting our needs known as we travel. People just don't recognize or see us as having any physical difficulty and I think just think we are lazy when we ask for help. We are met with indifference as well when we request a particular seat on a plane. Not sure how to address this except to insist and explain. It did give us plenty of opportunity to spread the word, so I guess we learned (and kept learning) to swallow our pride and ask for help when we needed to.

Nancy

It's a nuisance nancy, but it can help if you wear a sling. I even have to do this sometimes and believe me, my injury is very noticeable, yet people STILL don't get it. Even really dumb types understand a sling.

It must be harder for you in a way, I just say "Could you help me with this, my right arm is paralysed...." people take one look and can't argue with that, whereas if I had some use of it I guess it wouldn't be that easy to convince people I needed help.

I found myself giving someone the evil eye at the supermarket recently because they had parked in a disabled slot and seemed extremely limber. But as they drove away I thought, maybe they have something that doesn't show much.....trouble is, there are so many cheats and freeloaders out there it makes people suspicious of those genuinely in need. Sign o the times.

Anyway, glad you girls enjoyed Europe, when does UBPN hit the Southern Hemisphere? :0)
Jen NZ

Welcome back!! I'm glad you two had a good time. I can only imagine the laughs you both shared. I bet it was very interesting as well. I can't wait to hear more.

Hi All

We have a lots to laugh about but there were times when I wanted to scream.
I asked for early boarding just once and I was stopped twice and asked why I was coming on board. All anyone has to do is look at the condition of my hands now and that would be reason enough, without the bpi. Then I asked for help to get my carry on up and got dirty looks but they did it.
Aside from the inability to lift my right (shorter arm) up, I am short so that makes it even harder to use my head to move it along. We made a good team of but it was annoying at times because people just wanted to push past because we were not moving fast enough.

One train conductor was so annoyed that I did not move my luggage fast enough he grabbed it so hard he broke the handle used to wheel the suitcase. He then disappeared after giving me a dirty look. It was quite and education for me because I usually travel with my husband and he takes care of the luggage. Thanks to Peggy Ferguson I was able to manage some of my luggage. She really was such a great help I am sure she had a back ache after a while. Thanks again Peggy for all your help. I had to purchase a new piece of luggage in Italy and I found one that has four wheels and that made life easier.

Our hotel in Brescia had a large flight of stairs to the main floor for check in and the rooms. That presented a big challenge but WE WERE SAVED by the BRITS ... along came Liz, Neal, Karen and Gary and it was taken care of ... they were a great help to us at the hotel and I am not sure how I would have managed to get the luggage up and down without their help.... So a big public THANK YOU to our friends across the Pond. We were booked into the same hotel and that was so good for us both with the physical help they gave and the good company. It gave us a chance to exchange ideas and of course have a great deal of fun.

It was quite an adventure and we did meet some interesting people along the way on planes, buses and in the airport. It gave us an opportunity to educate and also some great connections.

Jet lag has really got me off balance. I don't know if I am coming or going. In fact just when I have a burst of energy I find I need a nap.... LOL... It will take a few more days.
Loved my trip but glad to be home
Kath

Kath, and all, so glad you are all home. I know that your families must have missed you so much - (and we did here too). As Brittney would say to make me laugh, "Yo Yo, Kath is back in the house" - so when you feel like yourself - I sure want to hear all about it.
Missed you!
Christy

That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger!

I was happy to help, Kath & glad that I was able to.

I agree that meeting the folks from the UK was wonderful! Debbie, Karen, Gary, Liz, and Neal...Thank you so much for such delightful company during our stay in Brescia.
The meals were fabulous and conversation..."lovely". The symposium itself was very interresting and, although at times I had difficulty understanding some of the heavy accents, I completely enjoyed the experience.

Peggy

I loved the Brits too! They are just great! Neil is always a HUGE help as he has no BPI! When I was in the UK and we were camping, he wouldnt even let us think of setting up our own tent, he just did it for us! He was very amazed that we took it down by ourselves! hehe NICE CATCH LIZ!! Takes a good one to know one right?! Karen and Gary are just a ball of laughs as well! I am hoping to make my trips over there an annual thing..... HOPING that is!

COurt

Welcome home Nancy & Kath! You guys had way too much fun..I heard you laughing way over here in the great Northwest.What a wonderful time to network & connect with UBPN UK. I hope you both tandem an article for us in Outreach about the symposium in Italy. How about the other team members who were there join in too? I'm not the only one who would love to hear more. It's good to have you home.
Carolyn J
PS..'Just remembered...when I need help I always say
"I'm a one-handed person could you please help me with this?"..[mind you, I didn't start doing this,especially until I came into my 60's!] I am a slooow learner. Now,it just rolls off my tongue automatically.The more you ask for help the easier it gets.

Hi Guys
sorry to be so late in replying to you all - we had a wonderful, fantastic, funny, happy, sad, tearful, joyous time meeting you - some for the first time and some for the second.
Gary would be NO use to anyone at the minute - he has just had his toenails removed from his big toes as they were becoming ingrown, so he's not walking very far or very fast at all at the minute!
And as anyone who knows me will tell you, my nursing skills are ZERO - don't think of Abby in ER - think of Kathy Bates in misery and you'll get the picture!!!!
Well, we can't wait until the next symposium on your home ground - Gary and I are hoping to come over and also bring our boys - they will be 16 and 15 then
(YUK) - but we are looking forward immensely to seeing you all again.
I do have one question though - are there many shoe stores in the US ???? ........... LOL LOL LOL

love to you all my dear friends
Karen ( and Gary)

Shoe stores?? Where is the joke that i am missing???