hey all,
I'm a 18 year old guy and I have had brachial plexus injury since birth. I'm posting here for a few reasons. First, I'd like to say I've read some posts on here and its great to see the optimism and understanding showed here. With all the shallowness of the "real world" it's good to know that there are people that understand. Also I wanted to know if their was anyone around my age on here so I could ask them of their experiences ect. My injury is not to bad I guess you could say im lucky compared to some people which is why I have so much respect for anyone that is worse off then me because I have a hard enough time dealing with it. The hardest part has gotta be having one huge arm and one small arm and looking in the mirror and knowing i'd be a real buff guy if it wasn't for my shoulder and then you get to thinking what girl would wanna be with someone with a weak arm. Now this is where I got some good news, you gotta say if this girl won't be with ya because of your arm ummm you don't wanna be with her in the first place and there is someone out there for you sure i've had girlfriends but never been in love. That's why you can use your disability to find out who are the good people in your life. You know the shallow assholes that would point it out infront of a group of people and make fun of it, and that is the hardest part right there knowing that if you had 2 strong arms you could beat the living shit outta this guy he would never mess with you but he uses his unfair advantage of being "normal" against you. Now I know i'm going on but I'm just trying to get the message across that these people are not better then you I found that out awile ago and that is why im almost totally at peace with my arm. The best people in your life are gonna be your close friends and ones you love who will always be understanding. Surround yourself with the right people and youll enjoy every day of your life. P.S. I might be having a shoulder fusion beginning of next summer so with that and therapy i can probly gain back motion and strength. I've wasted enough of your time, I'll read your responses and post again.
Peace
18
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rachelcasa
- Posts: 729
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2003 11:45 pm
Re: 18
Brian,
I can see your frustration and I personally feel we all have had to deal with it on a daily basis. I always contribute my good sense of humor to helping me get along with my injury. I am 34 from Montana and have a left OBPI. I like you do not have the look of an arm injury however it is there, it is bad and it is frustrating.
As long as you can come to peace with yourself and realize you are a good person inside you will find the right person to see you through this. You have a whole bright future ahead of you. Keep up the good thoughts and the good spirits and you will make it through just fine. When you get down and out hop onto this message board. It really does wonders for ones mood. The support here is really amazing and people really do understand and care about you.
*HUGS*
I can see your frustration and I personally feel we all have had to deal with it on a daily basis. I always contribute my good sense of humor to helping me get along with my injury. I am 34 from Montana and have a left OBPI. I like you do not have the look of an arm injury however it is there, it is bad and it is frustrating.
As long as you can come to peace with yourself and realize you are a good person inside you will find the right person to see you through this. You have a whole bright future ahead of you. Keep up the good thoughts and the good spirits and you will make it through just fine. When you get down and out hop onto this message board. It really does wonders for ones mood. The support here is really amazing and people really do understand and care about you.
*HUGS*
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Carolyn J
- Posts: 3424
- Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.
My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!
I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too. - Location: Tacoma WA
- Contact:
Re: 18
WELCOME BRIAN!!,
Welcome to the UBPN Family Network. You do "Get IT" , & you have a great attitude. You are welcome to VENT & "Go On..." anytime....We all do and the love,INSTANT understanding and Support here is Phenonomenal and I hope you come back soon and OFTEN, Brian.
HUGS,
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
Age 68 & proud of it!
Welcome to the UBPN Family Network. You do "Get IT" , & you have a great attitude. You are welcome to VENT & "Go On..." anytime....We all do and the love,INSTANT understanding and Support here is Phenonomenal and I hope you come back soon and OFTEN, Brian.
HUGS,
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
Age 68 & proud of it!
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
Adult LOBPI
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admin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 19873
- Joined: Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:59 pm
Re: 18
Thanks alot guys like I said before I have alot of respect for you. What I really want to do is find someone around my age with the same problem, because we could help eachother out alot. Plus nobody truely understands unless they have the injury. I don't think there is anyone my age on here but I thought I'd try.
Peace
Peace
Re: 18
Brian,
I know that "Hope" (Amy) is around your age and also an OBPI. Just a matter of time before you hear from her. My son is 19 and TBPI. So he is kind of new to this as his injury is about 10 mos. old now. Also Ellen has a son about the same age, he's preparing to head off to college. I'm sure you will hear from them soon. Also you can talk with Dustin if you would like. He was to Mayo in may and they operated and found nothing torn or avulsed. We continue to work with his arm and it is gaining strength but no functional movement. He can move it when laying on his side. However when he is standing it just hangs limp at his side. His hand is fully functional. You will find lots of people here who know exactly what you are going through.
Sue
I know that "Hope" (Amy) is around your age and also an OBPI. Just a matter of time before you hear from her. My son is 19 and TBPI. So he is kind of new to this as his injury is about 10 mos. old now. Also Ellen has a son about the same age, he's preparing to head off to college. I'm sure you will hear from them soon. Also you can talk with Dustin if you would like. He was to Mayo in may and they operated and found nothing torn or avulsed. We continue to work with his arm and it is gaining strength but no functional movement. He can move it when laying on his side. However when he is standing it just hangs limp at his side. His hand is fully functional. You will find lots of people here who know exactly what you are going through.
Sue
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Carolyn J
- Posts: 3424
- Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.
My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!
I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too. - Location: Tacoma WA
- Contact:
Re: 18
Yepp!,Brian,
Amy is around your age & Marieke too. You should be hearing/Reading from them soon here altho college settling-in is in progress...so keep checking the Boards.
Hugs,
Carolyn J
Amy is around your age & Marieke too. You should be hearing/Reading from them soon here altho college settling-in is in progress...so keep checking the Boards.
Hugs,
Carolyn J
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
Adult LOBPI
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marieke
- Posts: 1627
- Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:00 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI
no external rotation against gravity, can only go to 90 degree fwd flexion, no hand-to-mouth
1 surgery at age 14 (latissimus dorsi transfer). In 2004, at age 28 I was struck with Transverse Myelitis which paralyzed me from the chest down. I recovered movement to my right leg, but need a KAFO to walk on my left leg. I became an RN in 2008. - Location: Montreal, Qc, Canada
- Contact:
Re: 18
Hehe, Carolyn, you forgot that I am 30 didn't you!? LOL. No matter! Hi Brian, I am 30 but Amy and I are good "internet buddies", and I am in college working on my 3rd career, this time nursing!
I am LOBPI, btw. My shoulder is obviously different from my right, but only really noticeable in tank tops...
Anyhow, glad you found us and I am sure as others have said, that Amy will post her own hello soon. She is getting ready to head back to college soon (this weekend I think) and is a bit busy.
Take a look at my blog if you like though, get to know me a little!
http://nurse-to-be08.blogspot.com/
Marieke (LOBPI)
I am LOBPI, btw. My shoulder is obviously different from my right, but only really noticeable in tank tops...
Anyhow, glad you found us and I am sure as others have said, that Amy will post her own hello soon. She is getting ready to head back to college soon (this weekend I think) and is a bit busy.
Take a look at my blog if you like though, get to know me a little!
http://nurse-to-be08.blogspot.com/
Marieke (LOBPI)
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hope16_05
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2003 11:33 am
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: 28 years old with a right obstetrical brachial plexus injury. 5 surgeries to date with pretty decent results. Last surgery resolved years of pain in my right arm however, I am beginning my journey with overuse in my left arm
- Location: Minnesota
- Contact:
Re: 18
Hi Brian,
Seems as though you are waiting for me to respond. lol. I have been busy packing as I am moving back to college on Friday. I am 19 years old and ROBPI. I am also working at an assisted living center and this week I am house sitting as well so I have been overly busy.
I would be inerested in talking to you more, do you have msn messenger or AIM? I have messenger right now and this weekend I will have AIM back (its on my computer and I am using my parents until I move)
Feel free to ask me any questions you may have, I have done a lot of research on bpi and have tried a few different treatments (surgery, e-stim, OT, PT, Kinesio Tape) Email me if you would prefer hope16_05@hotmail.com but put something bpi related in the subject so I dont think its junk mail. Otherwise I am generally on here a couple times a day, just not this week because I have so much going on.
Talk to you soon,
Amy 19 years old ROBPI from MN
by the way where are you from if you dont mind me asking?
Seems as though you are waiting for me to respond. lol. I have been busy packing as I am moving back to college on Friday. I am 19 years old and ROBPI. I am also working at an assisted living center and this week I am house sitting as well so I have been overly busy.
I would be inerested in talking to you more, do you have msn messenger or AIM? I have messenger right now and this weekend I will have AIM back (its on my computer and I am using my parents until I move)
Feel free to ask me any questions you may have, I have done a lot of research on bpi and have tried a few different treatments (surgery, e-stim, OT, PT, Kinesio Tape) Email me if you would prefer hope16_05@hotmail.com but put something bpi related in the subject so I dont think its junk mail. Otherwise I am generally on here a couple times a day, just not this week because I have so much going on.
Talk to you soon,
Amy 19 years old ROBPI from MN
by the way where are you from if you dont mind me asking?
Amy 28 years old ROBPI from MN
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Kath
- Posts: 3242
- Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
- Location: New York
Re: 18
Hi Brian
I am glad to see the "kids" responded!
OBPI is not new as you can tell by the ages here.
We have all had experience living our life to the fullest with bpi.
I just want to welcome you.
Amy & Marieke good luck in school this year.
I can't wait to see you girls at Camp 2007!
Kath
I am glad to see the "kids" responded!
OBPI is not new as you can tell by the ages here.
We have all had experience living our life to the fullest with bpi.
I just want to welcome you.
Amy & Marieke good luck in school this year.
I can't wait to see you girls at Camp 2007!
Kath
Kath robpi/adult
Kathleen Mallozzi
Kathleen Mallozzi