Adults born with this injury?

This board is for adults and teens to discuss issues relating to BPI since birth (OBPI).
Antoinette422
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 8:22 pm

Adults born with this injury?

Post by Antoinette422 »

I was born with Erbs Palsy 61 years ago. I'm curious if there are any of you in my age group? How do you handle people even at our age ,"What's wrong with your arm?"
User avatar
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: Adults born with this injury?

Post by marieke »

Hi,
Just wanted to say welcome!
I am sure Carolyn and Kath will weigh in and say hi.. they are 2 in your "age" group.. though we consider them 60+ something years young! :)

Marieke 33, LOBPI


Marieke Dufresne RN
34, LOBPI
http://nurse-to-be08.blogspot.com
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: Adults born with this injury?

Post by Carolyn J »

Antoinette,
WELCOME TO OUR UBPN Family!! This is my Family...

I'm LOBPI and 70 yrs old. I did not have a name for my injuries until I found this web site in 2004 at age 66! What a Godsend to have instant support, Caring, sharing of experiences and CORRECT Information! FYI, there is no dumb question for anyone on any of the Forum Message Boards and everyone welcome on any of the Forum Message Board. I, for 1, love questions! :)

I was married once upon a time and my angel adult son lives at home with me until some smart woman catches up to him! :)

Carolyn J
LOBPI/70--sometimes adult ;)


Message was edited by: Carolyn J
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
Joanie
Posts: 499
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2005 9:03 am

Re: Adults born with this injury?

Post by Joanie »

Welcome Antoinette422,

I will be 60 on 12/29. I knew the term Erb's palsy when I was 17, but I didn't learn the term Brachial Plexus until I found UBPN in 2005.

I am married. We have no children.

When someone asks about my arm, I tell them about how I got injured, and about brachial plexus palsy.

Joanie
Kath
Posts: 3242
Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
Location: New York

Re: Adults born with this injury?

Post by Kath »

Welcome Antoinette422

I posted my welcome to you on another thread...

As you can tell people posting here are very nice and helpful. If you have any questions you would like to ask please go ask away. There are no silly questions we all have some very funny little quirks. Each injury heals so differently. We are truly a unique group... LOL...

Marieke... Now I know why I love you! I just turned 69 and like thinking I'm young... your so sweet.

Kath robpi/adult
Kath robpi/adult

Kathleen Mallozzi
User avatar
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: Adults born with this injury?

Post by marieke »

Hey to me, regardless of age, we are all young at heart even if our bodies say otherwise! I still feel like a teenager most of the time! People ask me my age and I swear I have to stop and think about it!! LOL

Marieke 33, LOBPI... feel like 16 though!
Marieke Dufresne RN
34, LOBPI
http://nurse-to-be08.blogspot.com
User avatar
smith727
Posts: 60
Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2004 11:18 am

Re: Adults born with this injury?

Post by smith727 »

Antionette,

read the next one.


Message was edited by: smith727
User avatar
smith727
Posts: 60
Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2004 11:18 am

Re: Adults born with this injury?

Post by smith727 »

Antionette,

What I do anymore is fairly brutal and has been called merciless by friends and family alike.

When someone has the audacity to ask me about my arm, I will talk about it continuously, sometimes for nearly two hours. I will absolutely dominate the conversation with bits and pieces of information about brachial plexus injuries; I will cover C-6 and C-5 injuries in detail, explain how avulsions occur, and even go so far at times to draw little diagrams on bar napkins.

By the time the conversation is over, that person has learned way more about what is wrong with my arm than they ever wanted to, my friend, I can tell you that.
TinaT
Posts: 155
Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2008 3:21 am

Re: Adults born with this injury?

Post by TinaT »

Hello Antoinette422

I just had my 52nd Birthday and don't get asked very often (just looks).

I like the answer about drawing diagrams on bar napkins, I'll have to remember that one !!

But, I think knowledge is the best answer to your question. Informing anyone and everyone is our best hope to the recognition we have sought for so long.

Again, welcome. This is an AWESOME group of people to have in ones life.

Tina BiObpi/sometimes adult
User avatar
Charlie O
Posts: 18
Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2008 9:52 am
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: ROBPI resulting from a birth injury. Limited motion at the shoulder, elbow, and wrist. No pain or surgeries.
Location: Philly
Contact:

Re: Adults born with this injury?

Post by Charlie O »

Welcome, Antoinette -
I'm 46 but have been answering the "what's up with the arm?" question for awhile. Usually "birth injury" suffices. If they're still curious (few are), I go into detail about the mechanics. When I was in my teens and 20s, I was very ashamed of my arm. These days, I'm much more matter-of-fact.
-Charlie
If daydreaming were criminalized, I’d be a lifer.
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