United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I had an interesting experience today. I was playing with the La Mirada symphony tonight, and I noticed that the conductor has only three fingers on his right hand, but it didn't appear that this unusual characteristic affected him in the slightest. He was waving it around and motioning instructions to the group with it just as much as any conductor would with a "normal" hand. It looked as if it may have been the result of an accident of some sort, but I'm not sure. But it was just intriguing to witness someone who has every right to be self conscious about his hand wave it around without regard to what anyone else thought. I just thought I might share with you all. It was pretty awesome to see.

-Chris, 24 LOBPI

I will add to this hopefully? When does the night mare of ERBS get over? When you stop looking in the mirror. The best way to get over your limiations is to fail trying! If you try to get over your limation and fail than never even trying is worse. THINK one ARM. I learn at 15 on how to try to work. I needed to work at 15 on. If you think how you could do a job basicly one arm you willgo far!! I learn to think one handed when first climb a tall tree at about 9. I hope there is a lot of possitive response from others who do jobs you do one armed? We have to show jobs others might Try with erbs? Please say what you learned to do one arm?

PADI MASTER DIVER TOM and a CHicago LtL SEMI driver, I was born with erbs

My husband lost 2 fingers about 15 yrs ago. At first he was very self concious about his hand. He had therapy and learned to use it again. He had prostetic fingers, for looks, not really functional. Now no one really seems to notice and since he's moved on neither does he. He does have some difficulty with small functions like tying fishing line. But since he's adapted we have more fingers in the cupboard than he has on his hands, lol. On a funny note: the fingers look real and are mailed once they are complete. I always wondered what if that box arrived at the wrong house? Could you imagine someone opening a box of fingers? lol Ok your right I have a warpped sense of humor. My daughter was about 3 when they arrived and I let her open them. She took them out of the box and held them over her little fingers and started singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" I laughed until I cried.
Sue

I'm not sure that striving to think one handed is the best way to go about our difficulties, especially with all the secondary injury to the "good" arm that is possible. I meant only to express my admiration for this man and his lack of self consciousness about his situation, which is much more noticable than mine. It was pretty inspiring to see and encouraging to me as far as giving up the inhibitions I have towards the way I think my arm looks.

-Chris

You know what, I really was looking for responses that show others with erbs that you can do thing and find types of jobs you can do with erbs, I guess , I didnt state it right? I hope that others with erbs , would say what they can do and others might try. There is all ways the over use issue question which I totally understand from others here. So I dont know whats worse the over use issue or depression that comes with Erbs?? Sometimes you have to try to get past dispair, IF you can??

Padi Master Diver Tom

Tom,
You might want to start a new thread asking what jobs people out there with a BPI do. What they can do also depends on how much function they have too.

Marieke RN
33, LOBPI

I started a NEW thread for jobs/professions. It needs to be approved still before it will be posted.


Message was edited by: marieke

A new thread about Jobs we adulots with OBPI's have isa great idea.

Since Depression CAN BE a secondary "injury/medical condition" (not all of us tho'),it is up to the individual to reach out for professional help...a lifetime of hiding and denying takes alot of work to overcome, sharing and support often meds too can help but you have to reach out and ask for it. United Way Agencies have low-cost sliding fees and most health plans allow 12-15 sessions a year.
Carolyn J
LOBPI adult

I am Glad, Marieke said it better for me. The point I hope will happen is by listing things we can do with erbs will in courage others to ask ( How Did You Do it with Erbs? ) . In it self may inspire others with erbs to have more hope and try? If they see something they would like to try ask the person who did it with ERBs.

Master Diver Tom

I hope a lot of people with erbs get on the thread of what you have done in life with erbs. This might help the new mom and dad with a baby with erbs or a person who later got erbs from injury. All you would have do is ask the person with erbs who did it.

Master Diver Tom

Tom,
I agree with you. We all ready have a Topic on "How to Be a BPI Mom " with lots of practical stuff on it 'cause a number of us have/had children without families to help us and it was scarry but we BPI-ers always find a way! We are a creative bunch!
Carolyn J
LOBPI