United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I only recently discovered that I suffered OBPI at birth.Intially felt a sense of relief.Lately I've become sort of depressed and even angry.All the years of self doubt, frustration,and humiliation.Always treated as if it was a lack of desire or effort on my part.Every phase of my life was effected in some way or another.I don't mean to imply I have'nt experienced success in my life.I have a great deal to be gratefull for and proud of.Still feel cheated.Forgive me for winding.I am having a tough time dealing with it all

Dear Barry,
Yes, other adults, including me, have shared about our Secondary Injury Issues related to our OBPI'S, including, Depression and other Emotional Issues related to our childhood experiences. I highly recommend counselling with a Licenced Professional. Depression causes physical pain too , of it's own kind, adding to our individual injuries' BPI Pains.

You did not list your email addres in your profile so I am unable to email you. You are welcome to email me for any further qauestions. also, just type in "Emotional Issues" in the Search Forums Box at the top of the page and all of the Threads should come up for you to read. There is alot posted on this subject..also "depression".

Carolyn J
LOBPI/69 & counting...

Hi Barry,
Feeling cheated is a totally normal response. We ll got cheated in some ways. But the way I am looking at things right now are that every one else has been cheated too. We learn to be very creative in our daily live while others dont have to and then they just become boring. We never have a boring moment.

Dont get me wrong, I still feel cheated too like when I have to stand upsidedown to do my hair in the morning and I can only do one style and I get to see my roommates doing their hair in half the time in what ver style they want. But hey, on the other hand, I dont have to think about how I want me hair every morning

This injury sucks but please dont let it keep you down! I let mine keep me down in one aspect of my life until a few weeks ago and changing the way I look at things has been my best move so far. I am so much happier and cnfident!

hugs,
Amy 21 years old ROBPI from MN

Barry
I always knew I had Erb's Palsy and it was a rare birth injury. My mother told me the doctor pressed to hard and tore my nerves. She told me the story a million times and all about the doctor visits and my brace and all of the PT. With all that knowledge you would think when I found UBPN I would have been very comfortable.

When I found UBPN I was in the middle of secondary injury problems and decided to look up Erb's. I had no idea so many children were injured nor that it was a not so rare injury. I was shocked, angry and excited to find others like me. Then I went through a difficult period I was not sure what was going on since I am not a depressive by nature. I thought I was well adjusted and made my peace with my arm years ago. I accomplished all I set out to do and more. So why was I feeling so bad... what was wrong with me? I was 60 years old when I found UBPN. It took some deep thinking and meditation before I realized, once it was over, I was actually going through a grieving process. I seemed to go through all the stages one goes through when we loose something or someone. Hindsight is always 20/20 and I realize now what I did was finally grieve my losses with obpi and then count my blessings with obpi.

I am a much more compassionate, creative, non-judgemental person than I think I would have been if I were not obpi.

It's OK to go through this and realize you are allowed to feel the way you do. Then when you are finished with the process you will go back to being yourself and realizing all the things you have accomplished, single handed.If you feel you can't do it on your own please take Carolyn's advice.

Vent all you want here. We have all vented here from time to time and it feels good with people who understand and have faced many of the same challenges you have.
I thought because my family spoke about it and I knew what happened I would not grieve. I was wrong I was angry and upset and ticked off at first.
Sometimes I still get angry when I can't do something I really want to do. But now I realize it's OK because people with two good arms and hands often get frustrated and can't do things they would like to do.
Kath robpi/adult