United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

This is a bit random but wondering if anyone else has memories such as this. It is how I, as a little child, comprehended my injury. This insight may be of interest to parents of obpi children. I hope this isn't disturbing to anyone. It is a bit funny and a bit sad.
My parents never explained what was wrong with my arm - just said I had a pinched nerve. Now I am 38 lobpi and have very distinct memories of being very little, like 4-5 years old, and not understanding why I couldn't raise my arm.
I came to believe that there was a little man sitting at a desk inside each of my deltoids. I could picture the man in my right deltoid typing away and being very busy while the man at the desk in my left arm was fast asleep with his head on the desk. So, at night, I remember punching my left shoulder over and over in an attempt to wake the little dude up so my arm would start working. Isn't that bizare?
I was thinking how important it is to explain to children, as best they can understand, what is wrong with their arm.

I think that is very cute!

I am robpi and 65 and there was never a time I did not know that the nerve in my arm was injured at birth. My Mom use to talk to me about it... but you have a great imagination... thanks for sharing that sweet story. I can soooo relate to those thoughts.

Kath

Very interesting how the child mind can work. Thanks for sharing. I agree that it is so important to share as much as you can with the kids, I think partly, so they know it isnt their fault.

I think it is very cute:) My Mom was very vocal about my injury, so I don't remember a time that I didn't understand.

Hi Kamren,
It IS a cute story. It is so critical for parents to share/explain in language that a child with OBPI can understand. Ignoring our injuries and not talking about it can make life much more difficult than it is.

67 years ago, nobody talked about it in my family. I grew up thinking it was shameful and my family was ashamed...also I was left at home when the rest of the family went visiting and other places every sunday afternoon[there was not TV and vidieo games,you guys!]I knew I was different when I was barely 3, so when I reached school and beyond into adulthood I found clever ways to try to hide and also ended up overcompsating 250% on everything.
I was in college before I had a sense of humor[it became very wicked!!]. I only learned a name for it shortly before I found UBPN in 2003 & fouind oput that I am not the only one who has this in all the world.
I love your "take" on things,Kamren. I hope to hug you at Camp.~~Carolyn J

Suzy again - yes, I also remember seeing an adult man when I was 4 years old walking across a parking lot and one of his arms was very small and limp - the size of a little childs arm and I just instictivly knew he was an OBPI adult and I went home and completely freaked out!! I cried hysterically and no one could calm me for like an hour and I finally could tell my mom what I had seen - it scared the crap out of me!! But how did I know he had the same problem as me at 4 years old - isn't that amazing I could deduce that at 4?

Hi. I don't have BPI, but my son does. To me it's kind of like when you get a new car. Once you have it- you see them everywhere. Now that I have a child with BPI, I have noticed people with weaker or smaller arms. I also realize now that I went to school with a boy with BPI and the school counselor also has it. It's funny how somethings are never noticeable until they smack you right in the face. I have been talking to Javier about his arm since he was a few weeks old (he just turned 1) and now he knows the difference between his arm and his "right arm".

marlyn

Right on,Marilyn & Suzy!! We adults have 100's of errie stories & humorous ones too.
See you guys at Camp??
Hugs,~Carolyn J