United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi!
I’m cross-posting this in both the Traumatic and Obstetrical because I’m very interested to know.


What is the one item you find most important in your daily life that makes this injury “ok”?

It needs to be some material object that you use on a regular basis. It should be something easily obtained by the rest of us (so we can go get it and be helped by it too). Include a link to a picture if you can so if it’s something odd we can see what you are talking about. Justify your answer.

I’ll go first.

My one item that has allowed me to live easier with my BPI is the Bagel Guillotine. You can see one here: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product ... U=10647517

I am a fan of the Bagel as it really gets my morning going. In fact, on some mornings, the bagel is more necessary then coffee. I know that this is blasphemy to some of you but its true. I prefer mine with cream cheese and loks and toasted. All of these things require slicing the bagel first because everyone knows that good bagels don’t come pre-sliced. So what’s a BPI to do? Have you ever seen a one-armed man half asleep with a knife? It’s not pretty and it gets down right nightmarish when that same man is hungry and now frustrated because the object of his desire is flying across the counter and onto the floor.

To save myself and others this horror I use the Bagel Guillotine. It works so well I bet I could actually use it _in_ my sleep and still one-handed! In fact, remembering now how I felt when I woke up this morning; I think I already have.

Now just to find someone willing to spread that cream cheese and I’d be all set.

Ryan
This may sound silly but seat-belts drive me crazy.
I used this seat belt cover for several year now.

Here's the description from the website
"Soft sheepskin puts an end to seat-belt straps that bite or bind. This seat-belt cover is perfect for anyone who is tired of getting chafed by uncomfortable seat-belts. Wrap it around the belt and secure it in place. No more sore neck or shoulder. Cover is warm in the winter, and cool and soft in the summer. Genuine Australian sheepskin."
http://www.brookstone.com/shop/product. ... te=keyword

I just love this silly little thing.
I use to ride in a car with my chest strap pulled out and holding it for the entire ride due pressure and pain in my neck.
I'm short and most seat-belts are right against my neck.
It has changed my comfort level riding in the car and driving. The pressure across my chest was not only annoying but painful.

I have tons of gadgets to make life easier but your bagel gadget is looking good to me!
Of course, I have NY bagels and we all know there the best! LOL.
I will have to look into this cutter, so I can cut them on my own, without Ralph taking the knife away.
He says I make him nervous when he watches me with a knife. I can do it but due to my lack of strength it's a struggle.

As for someone to spread the cream cheese...
I'm sure if you post a photo, of your self with that link, the applications will come pouring in.

Kath robpi/adult

Ryan,
FYI, I really miss my Philadelphia Bagels! They were my "morning Starbucks" for 10 years in the 70's....your cutter I could have used...

Anywhooo....I cannot live without my "Handicapped Card" for my car, I cannot tell you how much it has saved me and my "good arm". I am fearful of losing use of my good arm and hand. Since I also have poor balance and seem to tend trip over my own feet when carrying stuff, it helps me not to have to go far to my car.

FYI, BPI's come under the "Neurological Condition" on the application form that all Dr. offices have but you must ask for it.

HUGS all around,
Carolyn J

I think the most useful item(s) I use are the radio and heater controls located on the steering wheel of our sedan. My ROBPI makes reaching to the controls on the dash difficult. An important feature of any future automobile purchase.

John P.
ROBPI for 68 years

Ryan, this is a very good question!
I have one for you, does the bagel guillotine cut buns and bread?

The one thing I use every day are mobile arm supports while I am at my computer and when I am doing crafts at the table/counter. Makes my shoulders feel better and lets my left arm work less so it doesnt get over use symptoms as much.
Here is the link for the one that I have:
http://www.ergo-items.com/armrests/ergo ... gorest.htm

Its spendy but worth every penny!

Two more things that I dont have yet but my parents do and they make my life with a bpi so much easier are a dishwasher and a Kitchen Aid mixer. They save my arms!

Thanks for asking, its very interesting to see what people find most useful. Your bagel guillotine looks pretty amazing!

Hugs,
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN

It does not cut buns or bread and is actually too wide for english muffins. It really only works for bagels.

However I have good news. Many years ago I found an electric knife with a bread blade. This is a serrated blade like any other bread blade. The fast movement of the blades makes cutting breads pretty easy and I think it would work for buns too. I just don't buy too much unsliced bread but now that you remind me I have this I may start going to the bakery more. Ohhh and a link.. looking looking looking...

This looks like mine: http://www.cuisinart.com/catalog/produc ... 4&cat_id=5

Not sure if it's the exact same but mine did come with the holder and looks the same. One of those knives in the picture is a standard electric carving knife and the other is a bread knife.

Although I'm left TBPI I'll second John's opinion on this one. In fact I'll even include something I find funny about my own car.

I have radio controls on the left hand side of my wheel and cruise control on the right. I rarely ever use cruise control. When I drive I fidget though. I like to press buttons and since the cruise control buttons are on the right and pressing them without actually having the cruise control on does nothing I play with them. After 70,000 miles the cruise control buttons are shiny and the little raised dots that were in the plastic to help you know what button you is pressed are completely worn away. In fact I think I've rubbed some of the lettering off.

The radio control buttons on the left? They look and feel the same as the day I bought the car.

Something else to look for in a new car is climate control. My car before this one had climate control and it was wonderful. Never actually touched the console on that car as once the temp was set all I needed were the radio buttons on the steering wheel. My current car, no climate control and it forces me to take my hand off the wheel to adjust the temp. It's normally not a problem except for this time of year where the temp can change every five minutes. My next car will most definitely have climate control again. Oh.. and most likely paddle shifters too.

I am in the process of moving into new Condo and some of the things I need must be suitable for bpi.

I need a front loading washer/dryer and the pedestals to raise them to waist height.
This prevents me from overusing my shoulders and crossing my body to move laundry in and out of machines.
When I switched to the front loading washer/dryer, I found my unaffected shoulder so much better as well as my neck and back.
I'm paying the price for all lifting and crawling into the dryer to get things out...LOL... I had tons of laundry with three kids.

I am also getting a refrigerator with upper frig and lower freezer.
We tend to be into the frig all the time and if something is lower and on the right I can't get to it and again twist my body to reach in with my "unaffected arm"
I also had them install the wall oven at a height that I can reach.
That was important because I cannot put things in/out of the oven and reach with both hands.
I must stand to the right of the door to take our cooked items.
Three and a half inches makes a big difference when trying to reach for anything that requires both hands.
My right hand only assists and cannot lift anything heavy.
My dishwasher is installed so that I can load and unload with my unaffected arm.
I almost forgot all of these things because I have had the front loaders for years as well as top frig.
While waiting for the Condo to be finished I moved into and apartment and it's driving me crazy and making my life harder.
The washer/dry are a challenge as well as the refrigerator and oven.

Being one handed takes a huge toll on our unaffected side and spine just performing our daily tasks.
( You could never have told me that years ago. I swore that my arm had not affect on me and I could do everything and anything I wanted to do... I learned the hard way there was a price to pay for being so strong willed and stubborn)

I think someone should find a better car seat for those who are still dealing with small children.
I have such a hard time with them, when I have my grandchildren.

Kath robpi/adult

my favorite item would have to be my easypass because when i travel- and i do quite a bit- i dont have to deal with the dreaded toll booths that i cant reach with my affected arm... it was either get that- or get out of my car when i travelled! lol! it comes in very handy!! i would reccommend it not only to all of you out there like me... but to everyone who travels because it makes the ride go alot more smoothly!
~Mel
LOBPI/20

(maia is dictating)

The card holder that stays on the table so that when I want to play a card game, I can play it without any problem. I cannot hold the cards in my hand.