United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I'm back in the land of the hand held shower -- Greece, for 3 months, where I am working in the Archives of the American Farm School.

Most times, back home, I forget I have an injury. I have adapted to my surroundings there and just carry on as usual. But when one is thrust into a new set of surroundings and has to learn new adaptations, the arm becomes noticeable once again.

The plane ride wasn't too bad, as I have learned the best seat for me is the one by the window, so the bpi arm has some support -- I can wedge a pillow or blanket on the arm rest against the side of the plane and all is well.

But this hand held shower defeats me every time. I never feel that I get my hair cleaned or rinsed properly. Any ideas? I'm out of them and I've been coming here for over two decades. You'd think I would have figured out something by now.

Nancy

Nancy,
You mean that they don't have a suction cup on the wall to hold it in place. That would drive me crazy and I am NOT OBPI. Good luck in resolving your problem, maybe next time you go you can go to the hardware store and buy your own suction cup holder and take it with you !!! LOL GAYLE

Nancy,

Geez, that must be so frustrating. I am not sure how you could handle that situation. Is there anyway you can ask your hotel(or wherever youare staying) to put up some sort of hook or something in the shower where the hand held can hook onto so you don't have to hold onto it?

I'm sure you don't feel as if you are getting your hair completely cleaned....

Have a good time in Greece. *HUGS*

Nancy,
If you can't get a suction cup hook for your shower wall, you may just have to wash your hair in the kitchen
sink using a pitcher or something similar to rinse a final rinse like we used to do in the "Olden days" when there was only 1 BR for 4 of us kids and being the youngest of 3 girls I never got enough time in the BR...lol so I did the kitchen thingy in high school.

I am glad you got safely to Greece. Watch those late night meals,kiddo, but do have fun there too. life is a Balance act when you are heading toward my age.

Lotsa HUGS,
Carolyn J


Message was edited by: Carolyn J

Nancy,

Could you bend over at the waist and wash and rinse your hair from that upside-down position? Maybe that way, gravity could help your affected arm scrub your hair?

Nancy,
I'm not sure I understand what you mean... I use a hand held shower and only use my good arm... I don't have it suctioned to the wall either.. Hmm..
Good luck!! Miss you!
Marieke (31, LOBPI)

Nancy,
I am glad that you made the trip and I wish I had some amazing answer to give you about the shower situation but I dont think I am of much help. I will think on it and let you know if I come up with some amazing idea. In the mean time I hope you are able to find something that works well. I hate not feeling clean. Good luck!
Hugs,
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN

Thanks for all your responses.

There actually is a hook to hang it on but then the shower head points directly at the wall and that is not much help. A suction thingie won't work because it would have to be designed specifically for this use and I have not seen one.

The difficulty, of couse, is that you can rinse your hair, then put the thing down (and you have to turn it off or water will go everywhere), then lather up with one hand, then turn it on again and rinse, repeat, but without running at least a hand through my hair with the water coming down at the same time, it just doesn't feel clean.

Oh well, it is a small problem and not one that really bothers me all that much. It is just that, as I mentioned in the first post, it made me aware that I had a limitation in a new way.

Luckily I keep my hair short!

Yiasas from sunny Greece,
Nancy

http://www.shuc.com/

seems like the hand helds are an issue in europe, they even made a device to deal with it!

-rich

Perfect!
Thank you Rich!
I can even order it and pay in Euros.

Nancy