United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My company picnic is May 17th. ( My birthday) They are having things like volleyball, 3 legged race, egg toss etc. I am sitting here dreading this. I just know that there are a few people who will make a big issue if I don't participate in things that I either can't do, or look abnormal doing. I feel like I'm facing high school gym class again. I don't do well in crouds anyway and i just don't know how to handle this.
Should I call off sick? There is one co-worker in particular who goes out of her way to be nasty to most of us.
I know they will not let me sit quietly and watch .
Advice?
thanks
pat-- I'm 52 LOBPI

Put an ace bandage on your ankle and keep your leg elevated. Doctor says I have to stay off it for a while. Borrow some ice from the ice bucket, too. That should do it!

Pat,
I've done what the "guest" suggested & it works GREAT...Go & don't miss the other fun. If you can, always drive yourself and leave when you start feeling uncomfortable. At times when I used to have panic attacks , I'd just leave the full cart in an asile & come back another time. I have stopped "suffering thru it" and have very little stress since. We have to take care of ourselves 1st & that takes doing these types of things when people around us do not understand or are unsensitive to others.
Hugs & let us know how you did,OK?
Carolyn J
Age 67,LOBPI

Faking a sprain can be hard. You have to remeber to limp and wince if someone or something bumps it. Do you have a splint or brace that you can put on you arm? I know the feeling of dreading highschool gym class.

MArlyn

I guess I read this different,
I would say go and have a great time. Try the things you want to or have not tried before. If they make comments tell them that you have not tried before or use this as an excellent opportunity to explain bpi's to them. You should not hide or be ashamed of your bpi. Don't let it hold you back from having a great time on your birthday. Be proud of what you have accomplished! Another thought, if they are doing things like a three legged race, I think the idea is to be goofy, no one looks "normal" doing that.

I hope you have a great time and if that one particular coworker gets nasty explain your bpi and then tell her to try the rest of the event with her arm tied down so it has very minimal use, and see what she says. After about Ten minutes I am guessing she will have a whole new attitude!

Happy birthday in advance! Have a great time!
Amy 19 ROBPI from MN

I agree with Amy. I'd go and have a good time with the co-workers that are friends. I wouldn't participate in the games I'm uncomfortable with but cheer on those that do. "Faking it" might lead to more embarassment.

John P.
ROBPI

Pat
I have to agree with Amy and John. Don't miss out on the fun, you will only feel worse the next work day when they are recapping the fun.

Go to the picnic don't sign up for any activities you are uncomfortable with. If someone asks why, tell them, I can't do that but I am a great Cheerleader. Smile sweetly and tell them your favorite activity is being a spectator at sports events.

As for the "nasty lady" when she starts to press your buttons - don't respond, just stare at her until she shuts up. Walk away without a response she will get the message.

We teach people how to treat us. Do not accept anything but good manners from the people around you.
You don't really have to give an excuse for not participating in sports. But, you should not exclude yourself from the fun of a company picnic because of bpi, that is not a good excuse to deprive yourself of a good time.

I dreaded gym class ALL the way through school, not just in high school. That part of me wants to tell you to fake an injury. However, I never faked an injury, and I once went to an employee picnic. I participated in those things in which I wanted to participate, and just rooted from the side for other games.

I don't remember the circumstances surrounding this, but when I was a child, a friend and I were watching kids participate in some picnic-type games. She wanted to participate, too, but of course I didn't. I guess she thought that she could intimidate me into it. She went up to the man who was holding the microphone and announcing the games, and said that I would be her partner in the next game. No matter what he or she said to coax me, I stuck to my guns and would not get up from my seat. He wouldn't let her into the two-person team game by herself. She came back to me and claimed that I had caused her embarrassment because I wouldn't get up to join her. I said that she had done it to herself because I had told her from the start that I would NOT do it. The moral of the story is: Don't let anyone intimidate you into doing something that you are not comfortable doing.

Don't wait until the next work day after the picnic to hear your co-workers say, "You really missed a great time at that picnic." Go to the picnic. Have a good time doing what you are comfortable doing. Definitely use this oppurtunity to teach others about BPIs if you possibly can. Leave if things become uncomfortable for you. Let us know how it goes.

Joanie, LOBPI, 57 years

I forgot to add something

Gym was a horror for me all through high school.
My teachers were so mean and intimidating. No mercy, pulling me out in front of the class to display how I did the exercises.... grrrrrrrrr....

Kath (robpi/adult)