I have a nineteen year old son with a left brachial plexus injury from a snowmobile accident on 3-7-07 and he had reconstructive surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN on 6-14-07 and is now heading off to college. We are from Monticello, MN and Jonathan is going to Concordia College in Moorhead, MN on 8-24-08. I am just wondering if anyone else has used water therapy in their physical rehabilitation and also if anyone has used the software Dragon for helping them to type papers on the computer???? Any information or help would be appreciated!!
A concerned mom - Brenda Lee
Son with brachial plexus injury and being sent off to college
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Brenda Lee
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2008 9:07 pm
Re: Son with brachial plexus injury and being sent off to college
Hello Ms. Brenda,
I myself am 19 years old. I go to university out here in Florida but I was born with brachial plexus injury so I guess you could say I've had all my life to adapt to the injury. But I never had to use any programs to help me with my papers, but the dragon program looks pretty good as I was researching it. Is your son a lefty? Because if he's a right it is very easy to adapt to learning to type with your right hand as that is what I do. Best of luck
Kristen
I myself am 19 years old. I go to university out here in Florida but I was born with brachial plexus injury so I guess you could say I've had all my life to adapt to the injury. But I never had to use any programs to help me with my papers, but the dragon program looks pretty good as I was researching it. Is your son a lefty? Because if he's a right it is very easy to adapt to learning to type with your right hand as that is what I do. Best of luck
Kristen
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marieke
- Posts: 1627
- Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:00 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI
no external rotation against gravity, can only go to 90 degree fwd flexion, no hand-to-mouth
1 surgery at age 14 (latissimus dorsi transfer). In 2004, at age 28 I was struck with Transverse Myelitis which paralyzed me from the chest down. I recovered movement to my right leg, but need a KAFO to walk on my left leg. I became an RN in 2008. - Location: Montreal, Qc, Canada
- Contact:
Re: Son with brachial plexus injury and being sent off to college
The Dragon program would be a great thing to save him from future problems.. just ask Amy or Kath or Carolyn.. or me. Typing one handed (mostly) has given me carpal tunnel and tendonitis at times. Mine isn't so bad, but I do have to be careful.
I am 32 now, and have done 3 degrees, one of which was heavy on paper writing. Amy is now in her 20's and going into her last year of college and I know has had issues with typing/pain.
Whatever your son can do to "save" his non-injured side from too much wear and tear is great!.
I've done water therapy and loved it. It is great b/c it takes away gravity yet adds some resistance. As long as the water isn't cold it's nice.
Marieke 32, LOBPI
I am 32 now, and have done 3 degrees, one of which was heavy on paper writing. Amy is now in her 20's and going into her last year of college and I know has had issues with typing/pain.
Whatever your son can do to "save" his non-injured side from too much wear and tear is great!.
I've done water therapy and loved it. It is great b/c it takes away gravity yet adds some resistance. As long as the water isn't cold it's nice.
Marieke 32, LOBPI
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Carolyn J
- Posts: 3424
- Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.
My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!
I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too. - Location: Tacoma WA
- Contact:
Re: Son with brachial plexus injury and being sent off to college
Hello Brenda and Welcome to the UBPN Message Boards,
I grew up before computers and learned one-handed typing and struggled with all those papers to type in college; somehow I got thru it all. sure wish I had the Dragon program back then!
Anything to save my "good" arm...saving the "good" arm/hand is very important from over-use and subsequent problems as we age.
Water therapy in warm water is my main relief from pain as I've aged. Some others have used a Hot Tub but I can only stand the hot tub for 15 mins.I do gentle streches and exercise in the warm water. It helps my artheritis also.
Feel free to ask any question on any of the Forums.
Carolyn J
LOBPI/70
I grew up before computers and learned one-handed typing and struggled with all those papers to type in college; somehow I got thru it all. sure wish I had the Dragon program back then!
Anything to save my "good" arm...saving the "good" arm/hand is very important from over-use and subsequent problems as we age.
Water therapy in warm water is my main relief from pain as I've aged. Some others have used a Hot Tub but I can only stand the hot tub for 15 mins.I do gentle streches and exercise in the warm water. It helps my artheritis also.
Feel free to ask any question on any of the Forums.
Carolyn J
LOBPI/70
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
Adult LOBPI
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veggiebug
- Posts: 257
- Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2004 8:47 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I weighed 11 lbs. 4 oz. when I was born.
I was delivered by forceps which resulted in my ROBPI.
I've never had any surgical intervention. - Location: Williamsport PA
Re: Son with brachial plexus injury and being sent off to college
I used warm water therapy for a number of years and now I take my son to the pool that has warm water for his swim lessons. He's 2 so I get the benefit from it also. I love swimming, it makes me feel like I can do so much more due to the lack of gravity.
I type about 75% left handed (non-BPI side) and 25% or less right handed (BPI side). Now I believe I'm getting symptoms of carpal tunnel, might have to check into it to save myself trouble down the road.
-Traci
I type about 75% left handed (non-BPI side) and 25% or less right handed (BPI side). Now I believe I'm getting symptoms of carpal tunnel, might have to check into it to save myself trouble down the road.
-Traci
Re: Son with brachial plexus injury and being sent off to college
I tried ViaVoice during grad school, but found it frustrating.
The long-term answer for me was to develop shoulder strength. This helps prevent you from misusing the forearm and wrist.
Definitely explore all your options, but spend a little on exercise gear and get professional therapist advice now, rather than after getting strain injuries.
The long-term answer for me was to develop shoulder strength. This helps prevent you from misusing the forearm and wrist.
Definitely explore all your options, but spend a little on exercise gear and get professional therapist advice now, rather than after getting strain injuries.
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hope16_05
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2003 11:33 am
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: 28 years old with a right obstetrical brachial plexus injury. 5 surgeries to date with pretty decent results. Last surgery resolved years of pain in my right arm however, I am beginning my journey with overuse in my left arm
- Location: Minnesota
- Contact:
Re: Son with brachial plexus injury and being sent off to college
Brenda Lee,
I am a 21 year old with a right obstetrical brachial plexus injury, and I am starting my 4th year of college on Tuesday. I would strongly suggest to Jonathan that he explore ALL of his options! I thought I could do everything without help and all that got me was more issues. I have severly overused my left arm and now I deal with pain everyday and I have had to give up a lot of my activities. This has been really hard on me and all because I thought I could do everything myself.
The number of papers that Jonathan will have to write will be taxing on his good arm and I would suggest seeking note takers and trying out the dragon program. I think I might have to look into that program this year.
Aqua therapy is amazing!!! I 100% reccommend it!
If you or Jonathan are interested in meeting another person with a bpi, let me know and maybe we can arrange something, I am in Duluth most of the year for college but home is Bemidji and thats only a couple hours from Monticello.
Best wishes to Jonathan!!!
Hugs,
Amy 21 years old ROBPI from MN
I am a 21 year old with a right obstetrical brachial plexus injury, and I am starting my 4th year of college on Tuesday. I would strongly suggest to Jonathan that he explore ALL of his options! I thought I could do everything without help and all that got me was more issues. I have severly overused my left arm and now I deal with pain everyday and I have had to give up a lot of my activities. This has been really hard on me and all because I thought I could do everything myself.
The number of papers that Jonathan will have to write will be taxing on his good arm and I would suggest seeking note takers and trying out the dragon program. I think I might have to look into that program this year.
Aqua therapy is amazing!!! I 100% reccommend it!
If you or Jonathan are interested in meeting another person with a bpi, let me know and maybe we can arrange something, I am in Duluth most of the year for college but home is Bemidji and thats only a couple hours from Monticello.
Best wishes to Jonathan!!!
Hugs,
Amy 21 years old ROBPI from MN
Amy 28 years old ROBPI from MN