United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hey Everybody,

Now that it's January, it's time to ask about keeping the bpi hand warm & protected - especially if you are planning to hit the ski slopes in March. Best idea I can come up with is to take a larger ski mitten, cut one side lengthwise & put velcro there to seal it back.

Not only the bpi hand, but what about ways to protect the shoulder area? Still growing out those new nerves, doncha know.

Any suggestions? You guys have done this before!

Thanks, as always -

Ellen

Hi Ellen

I send you a e-mail regarding some tips for the slops I hope you got it. I thing you do not have to cut the mitting, with a little practice you can get it on just make sure it has not individual fingers comparments at the end and for proteccion on the arm I use the Fullcoat wave from Dainese plus a wrist protector from Burton and I inmovilaise my arm with a sling. All this things are not very confortabel but better be safe than sorry.

Enjoy the ride
Fernando

Hey Ellen! I have gotten one of these for snowboarding... http://www.supports4u.com/shoulder.htm I have not been in years but thought what the hell, why not... my physio said shne thought it was a HORRIBLE IDEA! I then asked my physiatrist (sp) about it and he told me to get a helmet! I laughed so herd. He said being that i DONT wear a sling that it might throw my balance of to wear one so he does not recomend it! The only suggestion he gave was to go down the hill with my left sire, as my right is injured... Hope this helps a bit! How is John doing?

COurt xx

Hey Fernando & Court - thanks for your suggestions. After looking this stuff up, I have a business proposition: that you guys rent your gear out to the rest of us who only would use it 1 week every two years! Sheesh, I need to get another job! But I also believe that you get what you pay for & this is nothing to stint on.

One question - we'd gotten the impression from our doctors that John would need something that would withstand impact better - almost on the order of a football shoulder pad. Not exactly a fashion statement but what the hey. But I don't see impact protection covered - is it not such a factor?

Fernando, can you resend your email? I haven't seen it & we need slope advice. btw, I've signed John up for a 1/2 day adaptive ski lesson first day out and he seemed OK with the idea.

We also want to go dog sledding. Anybody tried it? John wants to be the one standing behind the sled instead of sitting in it covered in blankets & drinking Vodka schnapps. Oh yeah, he's still just 17 - guess I'll have to do it. Anyway, any idea how he might handle the logistics? Apparently he wouldn't guide the dogs since they'd just follow the sled in front.

Thanks as always for your invaluable help.

Ellen

You are a riot!!! I love the humor! I am goig to take lessons as well for snowboarding.... used to just mess aorund with my buddies stuff..... so we are going to rent the equipment... is that an option by you? We have some great slopes up here and the places offer rentals at a decent rate.... I dont want to but all the BS and then it be a pain in the arse for me to go.... let me know!

Court xx

Hi Ellen and Curt

I just send you the e-mail again I hope you get it this time. The protecction is very importan but not falling is even better. If John was a good skier doing it with one arm is not going to be that different he just have to take it easier and probably do not ski in icy conditions.
And Curt I think snowbording is harder to do it with a BPI arm because it is alot easier to fall and your feet are bonded to the board. If you just learning I will not recomend it but if you are good at it enjoy the ride.

Fernando

I am just learning but I figure its worth a shot! Might even try sking again, my physio said cross country would be great exersise for the arm! One thing I WILL NOT do is let my arm hold me back from things I WANT to do! If it is physically impossible ok, but this is not, it will just be a huge challenge and I will feel great when it is done! I will be careful though!

Court xx

Hey guys! I’m having fun with this thread and we are PUMPED about our March ski trip. I knew I’d get great advice from you two because you’re such “don’t tell me I can’t do it” kinds of people.

Fernando, I realized what probably happened to your first email – since I didn’t recognize your name & it had an attachment (& maybe I didn’t “connect” with the subject line), I must have just deleted it outright. Sorry! I love the action pictures you included & will write you directly about your offer to help.

When you wrote earlier about not falling, wouldn’t that be nice? John is a very good skier, so in terms of the falling part I’m actually more concerned about the other maniacs out there who ski out of control. I was thinking about how active you are and that you don’t use padding for your shoulder – and was wondering if maybe you haven’t had surgery on your bpi arm. John might need to be more padded since he’s still growing new nerves out. His doctors said he could resume normal activities but just to exercise common sense – so I think at some point we might not have to be so concerned about compromising his recovery with “normal life” impact to that shoulder. We’re headed back to Mayo in a couple weeks & will be sure we’re clear about what they expect re protection.

Your point about staying off icy slopes is VERY well taken. I hadn’t even thought about that – which of course would not only make it harder to balance but also cause a harder impact on our fannies. So ice can just signal more time for those schnapps by the fire.

Court, when you were talking about renting equipment did you mean ski clothing? If so, we’re OK in that area but will have to rent skis/boots/poles when we get there. One nice thing I learned when I signed John up for the adaptive ski lesson – as a disabled skier, he can get a discounted ski pass of 5 days of lift tickets for just $99. Pretty good – and saving that money is how we ended up thinking about dog sledding too. (Husband Gene might also get a discounted ski pass as John’s ski buddy – we’re still waiting to hear.)

Re snowboarding, John's concern about that is that you could fall forward just as much as backward - I think he felt there would be a bit more control on how you fell with skis.

Thanks for all your great advice!

Ellen

hi Ellen
where are you going ski-ing in March?
I am curious as my son Gavin ( 13 years ROBPI) and my husband are going to Killington in New England for a ski trip with Gavin's school for 1 week - i was very nervous as it's a long way for him to go from the Uk to the US at the age of 13 but the school
agreed to allow my husband to go to ensure Gavin stays "safe" - my main concern was keeping his arm warm as he HATES to be wrapped up and hot and I was really concerned about this aspect of the trip - I have enjoyed reading this thread too!
hey Courtney- how are ya?? - hope to see you back over here in August for the TBPi meeting !!!
Karen ( Kazza)

Karen.... how are you? Glad ot hear that Gavin and Gaz are coming here to ski in New England.... its beautiful out there!! How fun! I Hope to come back for the TBPI meeting this summer, might bring my boyfriend with me too! hehe I have to see about funds, BROKE COLLEGE STUDENT.... any donations are greatly accepted! haha Time and $$ will tell...... hi to your family Karen....

Ellen I thought the same thing aobut skiing v/s snowboarding but I want to give it a go. i was talking aobut renting skis boots and pole, yes not clothes! Ill let ya know how things go for me and please keep me posted as to how your skiing trip wen once you go and get back!

COurt xx