United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

So as my subject says: Hi everyone! I just found the UBPN site and this forum and I have to say that I'm feeling very relieved. Of course I always knew other people had this rare injury but seeing that other people have it and have shared their experiences about it makes me happy in a way. I've had OBPI for all of my life, but I guess I've never been able to fully accept it and talk about it even though my friends and family have been ok with it and very helpful.So I hope that I'll be able to work through some emotions that I guess have been locked away. As you can see from my user name I live in Finland and I'm currently 15.

So I have some questions that I hope you will be able to answer. I've always been a blues fan and recently I've been thinking about learning to play a saxophone. Will I be able to play a sax at least to some extent with just one hand or with minimal help from my other injured hand (the injury is in the right hand)? So my other question is about girls and dating. Now being 15 it's not like I'm in a hurry to start dating or anything but I still want to know. How have the girls you have asked out/dated handled your injury? Have they been freaked out by it or have they just accepted it? Do you have any experiences of being flat out rejected and either directly or indirectly knowing that it was because of your injury?

P.S. Sorry about my English but I'm not a native speaker.

Welcome! I'm Pat 54, right OBPI. I started playing the sax in the fifth grade. Ididn't have a lot of trouble with it--but it is a little hard on the nexk. I played tenor. I won some music awards in high school. I have good use of my fingers and the keys are positioned so I could kind of lay my arm on the side of the sax and play.
Go for it. It was a lot of fun!
Pat

Whoops Neck. I really need to do spell check more often!

I think you should give it a try. I have an injury and used to play the trumpet. I only needed one hand to play but it did affect the neck more than anything as well. I always played a bit crooked but I was able to play.

I am now trying to teach myself how to play the guitar. It's a lot harder than the trumpet and I don't do it every day as I should, but it is fun. I always say if there is a will there is a way.

As far as your question regarding dating; I feel any person who can look past your injury is a prize in themselves. You are at a young age right now and have plenty of time in your life to find someone right for you. And when you find that special someone you will know and your arm injury will not be a big deal to them.

Best of luck to you in playing the saxaphone.

Welcome to the boards.

Welcome Finnish Guy

I'm Tina 51 and BiOBPI. I never had an interest in playing an instrument, but if that's your passion I say GO FOR IT !!

Besides, you can't let Pat & Rachel show you up now can ya :p (just kidding). I think we can master anything we put our minds to !!

As far as finding someone who cares about you. When you find that special someone your arm will be of NO importance to them...........trust me.

I'm so glad you found us. I remember when I found this crazy bunch years ago, it is still one of the best days I've ever had !

WELCOME, Finnish Guy!

Keep reading, there is alot of information here and ever4y Message Forum Board & you are welcome on all Forum Boards. Also, there is no such thing as a dumb question, so ask away.

Carolyn J
LOBPI/ over-aged like Kath

Hi Finnish Guy
Welcome to the message boards. I think you expressed yourself quite clearly and have no problems with your English. Welcome to the message boards. I don't think you should worry too much about your arm being the cause of rejection. If you are a well rounded good person that is more important in any relationship.

I'm glad you found us and feel free to ask any question you can think of.
We use to have a Board of Directors member from Finland and when she came to NY for a Board of Directors meeting several years ago she stayed at my house for a few days and her English was great. I think there may be a support group in Finland but I am not sure if it's an active one. I mean a group that hold meetings and get's together for social functions, not one with message boards etc.

Kath robpi/adult... not over aged! LOL...

Finnish Guy,
I cant answer your first question about the Sax, I have never been able to figure out how to play it and for that I have always been jelous of my sister. I wanted to play so bad but just didnt have enough hand. I hope you are able to figure it out and come back and share with us what you were able to do!.

But for the second question... Dating, well I just started (I am 21 years old) and my guy he is slowly asking me any questions that he has. He swears that he never noticed my injury. It was not until his cousin told him that I had an injury did he get curious. He is so caring though and is learning slowly all my little things (like no hitting my upper right arm-playfully of course). He deals with it by trying to understand it. He knows that hand is usually cold so he hold it to warm it up. Its very sweet! So I would say my guy has totally accepted my injury is what it is and it does not define me.

When you find the right person your injury will not matter to them. They might be curious about how they can help you through things but they will love you not because you do or dont have an injury, they will love you for who you are!
Be self confident and dating will be no trouble at all!
Hugs,
Amy 21 years old ROBPI from MN

My son Frankie is 15 and he is on his second girl friend they just accept it like the rest of his friends his is his left arm and hand. Frankies arm is smaller and shorter then the right and has no function but that doesn't stop him and in 5th grade he took up the trumpet we had a music stand made over to hold the trumpet he soon lost interest but his injury did not stop him.
good luck with the girls Mare