United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello to those who might remember me! and Hi to those who are relativly new!
I am Kara, mom to Jared (NOW 6 YEARS OLD!) ROBPI.
I was new to this board when Jared was about 1 and we lived in Wisconsin, then Michigan and now we are in Texas! Yes, we are nomads. (We live out of the dodge and camp sites are my fav!!)
Is there anyone who remembers when I was new to the boards and asked about a million and a half questions and cried over any and everything? Jared was just a baby and I was scared out of my mind! I thought he would never be the same b/c of this OBPI.. If fact I remember posting about how upset I was that Jareds arm was going to slow him down and he would never be able to keep up with kids his age! HAHAHAHAAAA..... I am a blessed one, I do count them daily, I really do. I feel my son is a poster child for recovery... as I now cry b/c he doesnt slow down and he is way ahead of the game.
Are there things he cannot do? oh yeah... but he just finds naughtier ways of doing the other things to compensate... I know you all know what I mean. We do have determined kids, eh?
ANYWAY....
I just recieved my outreach today and was just thrilled to see it in the mail!
I couldnt wait to read it... put the kids to bed early (one of my guilty pleasures.. they are young.. they could use an extra hour of sleep right?).. anyway... I just didnt know where to start. I was flipping pages... got caught up in the siblings article (LOVED IT) and then saw the Dr Shenaq article.
I am devistated. What a great loss for both his family and this community. I am not sure when or how, I guess I should keep current... but we've just been busy. No excuses now... WOW!!! My thought and prayers are with him and those he has touched.


I have to admit, I feel a bit disconnected nowadays. We've moved alot over the past couple of years, I graduated and am actually working! Full Time too!! I haven't worked F/T since before Jared was born!!! Its so different! Working full time? How does this work? I dont seem to be managing my time very well .... Its been 3 months and I love working but I dont know how working moms do it!!! I give tons of props, kuddos, pats on the back to those of you who worked through this all!!!! But HOW do you keep up with laundry??? WHAT IS THE SECRET!?!?! Please dont keep it from me another day!! Im going cray here!

Again, anyway...

I miss you all very much but our lives have taken drastic turns lately and time hasnt allowed me to visit as much as I would like. I hope you all are doing well!!!

Jennifer in Chicago has been on my mind a lot. Jen~ if you get this.. how are things going for you? I think of you often. and the support group? If someone know Jennifer... and if she wouldnt mind, I would love an update...
as well as all the others!!

Kara
I remember when you first came to the message boards.
I wished my Mom has had others to share with when I was growing up.

It's so nice to read your update and hope you are settled for awhile.
It's great to see how well adjusted many of the older babies have become.
I love seeing how much they accomplish and how much parent have realized that we are really so much more than our arms.

OBPI kids are very strong willed and we can do anything we really want to, we just have to do it our way.

When I came to UBPN I was one of a very few adult/obpi posting.
I had one grandchild and now I have 5 it's amazing how quickly time goes by.

I hope you can contact some of the other kids because it is so important for the children to have someone to talk to who truly understands.
I love the fact that I have OBPI friends who understand.
Sometimes I just have to give them a look or a word and they know exactly what is going on... LOL..

Welcome back
Kath adult/robpi
Kathleen Mallozzi