United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

HI, Our one year old daughter has a LOBPI which she had surgery on in november. she had scar tissue removed and had a nerve graft done, she goes to therapy twice a week. But the therapist is concerned because she is not yet pulling herself up into a standing position. she will pull herself up onto her knees but that is as far as it goes. The therapist told me today that if she does not start putting pressure into her feet in the next two weeks that they are going to send her to another therapist for that. I would like to know has this happened with anyone else's children with this injury? Is it common that the kids with OBPI to have to see a therapist for walking also? or do they just pull themself up and walk later then usual. I really thought that after her surgery that everything would be ok, I never thought it would affect her walking. I'm starting to ask myself what else is next that is gonna go wrong. sorry for ranting, it is so frustrating. And most of these therapist don't have children with BPI so they really don't understand what a parent goes through. again sorry for ranting. any advice or sharing of stories would be great. thanks in advance,
Bonnie

HI Bonnie,
Try posting this on the GENERAL board, as this one is for Adults WITH an OBPI themselves, not for parents of injured kids.
You are of course welcome on any board, but you will get a better response on the General Board.
Marieke (32, LOBPI)

Hi Bonnie,
I thought I would suggest that your daughter might be scared since her surgery was not all that long ago. Babies are generally not staable on their feet for some time when they first start walking so that may be why she only pulls up to her knees. That is still a safe position for her and she knows it.

I know they make a harness like a jumper but you hold onto it and the baby learns to walk with you so the baby does not fall and the handels are long enough you dont kill your back holding hands which if you are being advised not to you wouldnt have to worry about.

Hope that helps!
Hugs,
Amy


not to scare you but I have begun research for a college research class and I dug up an article that had stats for CP and BPI occurring together so maybe have a doc look at her just to be safe. That could easily cause a walking problem. But my guess is her not walking is from surgery and not CP

Bonnie,

We have the harness Amy is talking about - it's called "Walking Wings".

Something important to note is that it attaches around the torso - with upward pressure under the arms when any parental stabilization or encouragement is applied.

We simply sewed a crotch-support piece to the bottom of the harness - so it became more of a "seat". When Aria loses her balance and I need to stabilize her, or if I want to encourage her to move forward, all the pressure is applied to her core, and not under her arms.

Good luck.