It was one of those moment we all dread.
It was a beautiful day and I was overjoyed because my granddaughter asked me to be her Sponsor for Confirmation.
We did not practice but the children were all prepared for the ceremony and of course the religions meaning of it.
The teachers were getting us ready to proceed to the church and giving us instructions regarding the ceremony.
I was so happy and excited for Jessica.
Then the unthinkable happened, the words I always dread came out of the teachers mouth
" when you present your Candidate to the Bishop, place your right hand on his/her shoulder"
That statement threw me in to a tizzy.
How am I going to do it without people noticing?
I am up on the alter in a packed church.
How fast can I get my arm up on her shoulder without anyone knowing?
My joy soon became stress,anxiety and apprehension once again this thing comes back to haunt me!
Can I do it, why is always the same old story... raise your right hand, use your right hand etc.,?
So many times this happens and I just say I am left handed without explaining why....
Hmmm now what?
As soon as I entered the church I realized it did not matter if anyone noticed!
What mattered is that my granddaughter choose me to be part of her very special day...
She never even thought of my arm or perhaps I could not put my arm up.
My arm is not important to her.... I AM!
Once again I realize I was stressing myself for no reason.
I put my arm on her shoulder before we left the pew and took it off to shake hand with the Bishop after she presented her Nana as her Sponsor!
It's amazing how we stress ourselves even when we think we are long past being self conscience about our arms...
A lesson learned...
I am who I am,
I am no different than anyone else.
We can always find a way to stress our selves bpi or not.
The key is not to let ourselves be trapped by our fears.
No one noticed and most people after church were commenting how sweet it was that she choose me.
I am sure no one noticed how awkward my movements were nor were they looking at that.
They were looking at how lucky I was....
Just want to share my fearful moment with a happy ending with all my bpi friends.
Kath robpi/adult/67
Raise you right/left OBPI hand! ugh
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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
Raise you right/left OBPI hand! ugh
Kath robpi/adult
Kathleen Mallozzi
Kathleen Mallozzi
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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: Raise you right/left OBPI hand! ugh
God Bless YOU AND JESSICA!!
Thank you for reminding me the sometimes I am my own Stressor...it really is always me who does this to myself.
I hope the HAPPY out-did the Stress,Kath. I'm sure everyone thought,"Ohhhh that L-U-C-K-Y Grandma Kathleen"!!
HUGS...<<<<HUG)))) to 'Ya,
Carolyn J
LOBPI/68
ps...may I suggest that you post your post on the General Board?,as some parents don't read this Board. Just a Thought...
Message was edited by: Carolyn J
Thank you for reminding me the sometimes I am my own Stressor...it really is always me who does this to myself.
I hope the HAPPY out-did the Stress,Kath. I'm sure everyone thought,"Ohhhh that L-U-C-K-Y Grandma Kathleen"!!
HUGS...<<<<HUG)))) to 'Ya,
Carolyn J
LOBPI/68
ps...may I suggest that you post your post on the General Board?,as some parents don't read this Board. Just a Thought...
Message was edited by: Carolyn J
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
Adult LOBPI
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brandonsmom
- Posts: 1401
- Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2004 4:43 pm
Re: Raise you right/left OBPI hand! ugh
Oh KAth,
I am sitting here wiping away tears....that is so sweet. you did what you did, and your right no one noticed anyway !!! It is kind of funny how the stress overwhelms us for that minute !!
Congratulations to you and JESSICA !!!
GAYLE mom of Brandon ROBPI 8 1/2
Who says it has to be the right hand/arm all the time.....grrrrrrr !!!
I am sitting here wiping away tears....that is so sweet. you did what you did, and your right no one noticed anyway !!! It is kind of funny how the stress overwhelms us for that minute !!
Congratulations to you and JESSICA !!!
GAYLE mom of Brandon ROBPI 8 1/2
Who says it has to be the right hand/arm all the time.....grrrrrrr !!!
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Karen McClune
- Posts: 746
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2003 4:58 pm
Re: Raise you right/left OBPI hand! ugh
Kath,
As I sit here with tears in my eyes.
How very proud you must be of Jessica. What a wonderful grandchild to ask you to be part of her special day. Isn't it wonderful that she never thought of can you or cann't you, but she just wanted you, her grandmother.
Congratulation to Jessica and your whole family.
Love and hugs,
Karen
As I sit here with tears in my eyes.
How very proud you must be of Jessica. What a wonderful grandchild to ask you to be part of her special day. Isn't it wonderful that she never thought of can you or cann't you, but she just wanted you, her grandmother.
Congratulation to Jessica and your whole family.
Love and hugs,
Karen
Re: Raise you right/left OBPI hand! ugh
Kath,
I don't know quite what to say - others have already said it. Mazel Tov for your granddaughter on her confirmation. Mazel Tov to you that she chose you as her sponsor.
Yes, we worry more about our arms and how we will look to others than we should. The important part is what kind of people we are on the inside.
Joanie
I don't know quite what to say - others have already said it. Mazel Tov for your granddaughter on her confirmation. Mazel Tov to you that she chose you as her sponsor.
Yes, we worry more about our arms and how we will look to others than we should. The important part is what kind of people we are on the inside.
Joanie
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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: Raise you right/left OBPI hand! ugh
As you have always been supportive of me and cheer me on, well I get to do the same now. Congrats to you and your family. What a wonderful event for you to be a part of.
Marieke (31, LOBPI)
Marieke (31, LOBPI)
Re: Raise you right/left OBPI hand! ugh
Kath,
The other night I had dinner with a friend I've had since high school. She's Catholic, so I told her your story. She said that she doesn't really "see" my arm. She "sees" me, the person that I am. I'm sure that the people in your church know you well enough to see the person that you are, and not your arm.
Joanie
The other night I had dinner with a friend I've had since high school. She's Catholic, so I told her your story. She said that she doesn't really "see" my arm. She "sees" me, the person that I am. I'm sure that the people in your church know you well enough to see the person that you are, and not your arm.
Joanie
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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: Raise you right/left OBPI hand! ugh
Joanie
I know that they did not see the arm...
That is why it was so silly of me to get anxious about...
Many people in my church now know about my arm but it is only because I told them about it when I found UBPN.
I really don't think anyone looked at it at all, it was me worrying over nothing just as I did when I was a kid.
I really thought I was way beyond getting anxious over something like this and it shocked me!
I am usually happy to explain and help spread awareness.
That old familiar feeling came out of the blue.
I was so sure I was long past those feelings.
It was all for nothing because it was beautiful and I was thrilled and honored.
I love being a grandmother... LOL..
Kath robpi/adult
I know that they did not see the arm...
That is why it was so silly of me to get anxious about...
Many people in my church now know about my arm but it is only because I told them about it when I found UBPN.
I really don't think anyone looked at it at all, it was me worrying over nothing just as I did when I was a kid.
I really thought I was way beyond getting anxious over something like this and it shocked me!
I am usually happy to explain and help spread awareness.
That old familiar feeling came out of the blue.
I was so sure I was long past those feelings.
It was all for nothing because it was beautiful and I was thrilled and honored.
I love being a grandmother... LOL..
Kath robpi/adult
Kath robpi/adult
Kathleen Mallozzi
Kathleen Mallozzi
-
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: Raise you right/left OBPI hand! ugh
Kath,
Very often, I have the same kind of a "hurting Memory" Pop up at me "full blown hurting" soooo unexpectedly that it catches my breath. These things run deep and now nothing really shocks me. It is all part of this "BPI-er Life"!!
HUGS Heal...here's 1 for "Yous All".
Carolyn J
Very often, I have the same kind of a "hurting Memory" Pop up at me "full blown hurting" soooo unexpectedly that it catches my breath. These things run deep and now nothing really shocks me. It is all part of this "BPI-er Life"!!
HUGS Heal...here's 1 for "Yous All".
Carolyn J
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
Adult LOBPI
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rachelcasa
- Posts: 729
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2003 11:45 pm
Re: Raise you right/left OBPI hand! ugh
Kath,
You are exactly right. That was a very special day for you and I hope you enjoyed it.
I do the same thing and that is why I quit the work out center I was going to. I swear I could just feel the people eye balling me when I was trying to do the weights. Wondering why such a big girl like myself can't lift weights. Hehe..I know it sounds so stupid but it just got to me so I gave it up.
Now I am trying to do things at home so no one has to look at me..and even if they weren't I sure feel better about it.
I'm glad you were able to share your special day with her.
*HUGS*
Rachel
You are exactly right. That was a very special day for you and I hope you enjoyed it.
I do the same thing and that is why I quit the work out center I was going to. I swear I could just feel the people eye balling me when I was trying to do the weights. Wondering why such a big girl like myself can't lift weights. Hehe..I know it sounds so stupid but it just got to me so I gave it up.
Now I am trying to do things at home so no one has to look at me..and even if they weren't I sure feel better about it.
I'm glad you were able to share your special day with her.
*HUGS*
Rachel