United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

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?"

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

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

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

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

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!

Antionette,

read the next one.


Message was edited 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.

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

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