United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I'm new to this forum, so I hope this post isn't inappropriate...does anyone have any experience with Karen Pape's seminars? It looks very interesting to me (we have an infant lobpi), but we are hesitant to spend the money to fly across the country (to another country!) without good recommendations. Thanks.

I've been to three of her talks and she is remarkable. She understands the injury and how it affects a child / adult as a complete person and not just an arm. She knows how to prioritize what you should be doing and when. She is very motivational and has a way of explaining things that cuts through your emotional state or cloud. She can help you figure out exactly what you should be doing and when and she also explains what kids can do at what age and why. She's "in-your-face" almost like Dr. Phil. Dr. Pape changed my life and how I view bpi and my child. I am very thankful I travelled across the country three years ago to see her the first time.

dear null, I was so pleased with what we learned from Dr.Pape when we went to her seminar that I really pursued the plan for recovery that she outlines and indeed we have seen more recovery in this last year using her techniques and way of doing things than we have from the previous ten years of therapy. It was so worth it for us and I am so excited about what it is doing for my 13 year old that I am quite vocal in letting others know that I think her stuff is critical to getting the maximum recovery and encourage people to find out more so that they too can see the benefits we have seen this past year. We have 13 year old muscles finally starting to do their job - imagine if I had known this stuff from the start?

do you have to go to the seminars, or is there some other way you can get some guidance from dr. pape? we cannot afford to fly to canada right now but would like help for our baby.

you should talk to her on her Forum at tascnetwork.net
she has message boards there and she will answer your questions and can tell you the best way to access help

We are getting our Physical therapist to attend the professional workshop in Feb. She is taking a video clip of our son for recommendation. Maybe you could get your therapist to go?

Dear Guest,

I have also been to a seminar and will say that Dr. Pape is very knowledgeable and progressive in her treatment and understanding. I also follow her 20/4/80 program and think it is great. Personally I feel she could work on her skills when speaking with the parents; when I spoke to her she was quite abrubt and short and It made me feel like a bad parent. I spent a lot of time thinking that it was just me because she seemed very nice to some other mothers, but not all of them. We did not have to pay for our seminar, but after finding out how much it cost I wouldn't pay that much.

Dr. Pape doesn't sugar coat anything. She's as in-your-face as it gets. I've had her be very assertive with me and I was insulted for a while, felt reprimanded. But I saw her speak for an entire weekend and I got her "message" and it was very powerful. She means no harm, she just means to truly motivate and well, it worked for me and my kid. What she has to say is hard stuff and maybe if she sugar coated it it wouldn't have the same affect. Even though she may seem harsh, I know that she has a huge heart and helps so many.

I would never think about spending money to attend one of her seminars if it were out of state and maybe the same feeling if it were in state. I think I am able to handle my situation and my familes situation without her help. Yes, she is informative, but I haven't heard anything that I didn't already know. Sorry, but this is my feeling on this. You know how to raise and treat your child without any one else. It is just like your natural motherly instincts. It comes regardless.

So what do all of you mean by "in your face"??
I am registered for the birth to 6 yrs seminar and I would like a heads up! I don't do so well with "in your face" so if someone could clarify, I'd appreciate it! Feel free to email me if you'd rather not post.

Thanks