United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My son has brachial plexus to his left arm and is starting sixth grade he is small for his age and has to carry a backpack from class to class with all his books and belongs...(no locker's) at our school.He is struggling to carry this heavy bag.He used the rolling ones until this year which was great but sixth grader's are not allow rolling backpacks and he doessn't want me to talk with his teacher's b/c he doesn't want to be different than the other kids.Any suggestions???/

Our schools had the same rules no rolling back packs. Except for children that need them for medical reasons. bpi kids should not put added weight or pressure on there shoulders or necks this will only lead to other problems later in life and there are rules as to how much a back pack should weigh for any child to carry it without hurting themselves. Frankie also has an extra set of books at home and his books are kept in there classrooms so he does no carrying. Do you have an IEP or 504 plan?? if not get one and talk to the teachers its in his best interest he doesn't have to know. Frankies now in 10th grade and I either call or email all the teachers at the beginning of the year to make sure they are aware of his 504 plan and what he needs to have a successful school year. Mare

Kayla is in the 7th grade and she also leaves her books in each of the classrooms and has a set for home. She only has to carry her binder but we have lockers so she just goes to her locker before every class and gets the binder she needs. She also leaves class 5 minutes early so that she doesn't have to fight with the other students at the locker or going down the stairs. This has helped relieve alot of her stress about falling and getting pushed around when everyone is trying to hurry so they are not tardy. All of this is through her 504 so you do really need one if you don't have one.

I hope he has a wonderful school year!

I also think you should look into having a 504 plan that allows your son some help due to his situation. In the long run it is for the health of his arm, shoulders, and back.

My son is only in 2nd grade and we homeschool so we don't have to think much about the whole back pack thing. But he does have one. Keep in mind that when he uses it there isn't much in it. We got him one that only has one strap that crosses over him from the right shoulder to the left hip. I like it because it is not putting strain on his left shoulder. But he wants one like everyone else! At this point I am not switching for the very reason I mentioned above. He needs to consider the long term effects because he has a BPI.

Is it commonly known by the others kids that rolling backpacks aren't allowed? Like, was there a big hoopla about it recently? Or is it a relatively unknown rule? Because if it's not well known, I would talk to the teachers about it and get it worked out; I'm sure they would make an exception for him. However, if there's been a big fuss about it recently, then your son will definitely feel like the odd one out and be resentful (of the backpack, of his arm, of you talking to his teachers). I know that at that age, I was incredibly stubborn and wanted to fit in and I refused to use the rolling backpack for a similar reason.

Even now I don't use rolling backpacks so I just make sure to find good, sturdy backpacks that have a lot of back support to them because the back support takes a lot of pressure off the shoulders. If your son is as stubborn as I am/was, that may be the best you can do.

I personally think that rolling backpacks put a lot of unnecessary strain into the unaffected wrist that we have to protect from overuse. I am prone to carpel tunnel pain and whenever I go on a trip and use a small rolling suitcase my wrist goes into a hissyfit.

I think it's best that the child keep the books in the appropriate classroom and have an extra set at home and that way it's never an issue.

For a person with a LOBPI - the sling backpacks work really well. Maia just got a new one that's even more supportive than the old one at the Sports Authority. It's really well made - very padded. For a person with ROBPI, you have to find a sling backpack that works for both shoulders (they have convertable ones)... you would think that they make either right or left but they don't...it's either protect the left side or use a convertable.

My daughter is also LOBPI. She has a rolling backpack, and uses it sometimes. But she really doesn't like to. Our district has a no rolling backpack rule (the kids were tripping on them).

We also have a district that buys two sets of books for each child, so they carry the heavy books twice a year: when they are handed out and when they hand them back in. That being said, even with out text books the backpacks weigh a ton!

Juliana used a messenger bag(and will again). These work for either right or left injured. Hers is from Lands End or LL Bean(always get those confused!).

I know that Juliana told me to tell her teacher "not to treat me any different from anyone else" and so I can see how your son would not want a rolling back pack if others can't use one.

but sling packs and messenger bags are cool for all kids.

good luck,
claudia

Backpacks, this is the subject that always comes up. Rolling Backpacks were not allowed in one school, becuase they damaged the floors. GIVE ME A BREAK !! By the time we bought our house and moved to a school that would allow them, he would not have anything to do with it. Last year, I pushed for a second set of books.(WE do not have a 504 YET) and I got them with no trouble, however....since they bought new books this year, there are not alot of books to have that would be extra's so, I am not sure short of a 504 what I am going to do. He does not complain about it hurting, but I am sure in the long term he will pay. His teacher is wonderful this year so I am sure we can work something out if he starts to compalin.
I did tell him that when he has free time in school that he should do the homework that he would have to bring books home for first and them do the worksheets, but like Claudia said, the book bags are heavy without the books. Another hint, I might an extra pencil box for each child with a second set of markers, crayons, scissors, etc...etc..if they have to do a project then they can avoid bringing that home with them.. This also alleviates them forgetting to take it back with the the next day. GAYLE mom of Brandon 10 years olf 5th grade