United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Over the weekend, while we were moving my son (ROBPI) was helping daddy and caught his finger under the 36 inch tv. Mom had the pleasure of taking him to the emergency room. We went into triage and the nurse, did everything and then grabbed his right arm to take his blood pressure. Very politely but very firmly, he said," You cannot take my blood pressure in that arm because I have a Brachial Plexus injury in my right arm" The nurse stepped back and said"wow Brandon that is awesome that you know that." do you know how you got that injury..."well" he said, "when I Was born the doctor pulled too hard and tore the nerves in my arm, I know that because that is what my mommy told me, not because I remember, I was little back then." Of course, I sat there and was holding back tears...good news is the finger was not broken but he gave that nurse a quick lesson in BPI...she looked at me and said that is a good thing for him to know, and just stated that I know that it is and that is why he knows it. She asked him that if she had to draw blood what arm could she use and he said, "not my right" I Was so proud !!! Then on Tuesday I had to take him to the doctor for a rash and he did the same thing.

It is so important for our kids to know about their injuries and the do's and don'ts !!! It makes is easier for me to know that in an "NON-EMERGENCY" he has the sense to stick up for himself. Maybe all the preaching I have been doing helped.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!
GAYLE

That's great that he knows to speak up about that!

I'm impressed how composed Brandon was with expressing this to the nurse! Yea Brandon!

YAYYYY, Brandon!!!!....That's My Boy!! I can't wait to Bear Hug Him at Camp in Sept...

Happiness and JOY to all the family in your new home.

HUGS all around,
Carolyn J
UBPN Gramma/LOBPI

Camille,
Quite frankly I was impressed how composed he was, but he was sooooo serious. It just goes to prove that they listen to everything that you say even though it doesn't look like it at the time.

GAYLE

Gayle
You really have prepared him. It is important that we have answers for people, it makes us more comfortable and self assured during and emergency.

I don't remember when I knew what happened to me but I know that I told the teachers in 1st Grade the whole story.
It seems I always knew the doctors tore my nerves and how lucky I was to be able to move at all.
My family doctor always told me to speak up and that no one could give me a blood tests or take bp on my right arm.
It seems as if he tested me every time I saw him. He helped prepare me and told me to speak up if I had to see a nurse or doctor.
I think knowledge is power and helps with our self confidence in the long run.

You should be very proud of Brandon and yourself for doing such a good job of preparing him for the world.

Kath adult/robpi

Way to go Brandon. But also, what a great reflection on the parenting skills that you have shown him as well. Way to go Gayle!

Tanya in NY
Amber's Mom, ROBPI, 4 years old

Hi Jennifer,
HOW ARE YOU Feeling? GAYLE

That is so great! I am trying to make my son strong and knowledgeable! Way to go Mom! Good job!