United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello everyone!

I jst thought id write an ESSAY on here to let you know something that happened the other day!

Well my boyfriend is a lifegaurd at my local swimming pool and because my town is small most ppl know each other and i am well known at the swimming pool through my boyfriend.

Anyway every week they go for training to refresh their memories of CPR and different procedures. Last night they were gettin ASSESSED on their preformances. So my bf was practising the recovery position but he realised that my bpi arm wouldnt go the way it should! even though he could have done it over the other side, he didnt incase he got in trouble for doing it wrong.

However the next day he brought it up at a meeting. They get time to ask questions about anything. He asked wot do they do if the arm wont go in the proper position would you start again and do it on the other side. His boss....wait for it...LAUGHED at him for asking such a stupid question bcos HE had never saw anyone with an arm that woudlnt go into the correct recovery postion. My boyfriend said his boss embarrassed him by goin around the pool askin ppl if they had saw anyone with an arm that doesnt go into the recovery position. My boyfriend was angry and explained that my arm didnt go properly. Andy(the boss) said that the recovery position has worked for YEARS and saved ppl.

Next day. I went into work with my bf, i was goin to the gym anyway. Andy told my bf to show him wot he is talkin about. So i got on the floor and he tried to put me in the recover position and the same thing happened (my arm stuck out) Andy jst looked at him and said well its only ever goin to b Michelle in this situation and i doubt it would happen!!!! Walked off and got on with wot he was doin!

How cheeky! Yes only me in Carluke...but wot if some member of staff go abroad for a season and work in a hotel...? ...go and work at another swimming pool?? its not gonna only b me there! I think he should hav brought it up at a staff meeting (briefly) to say that it can happen.

I am mad at this but my arm could simply lie flat on the ground instead of goin under my head but thats not the point! the point it he basically said it doesnt matter because it is only me that it applies 2!

I hate ppl who are so inconsiderate! I wouldnt even mind goin to a staff meeting as an example person to should them how they would deal with that.

God forbid something to happen to my in the pool and they yank me out by my right arm and then break it in the process of puttin me in the recovery postion!

Well my dinner is ready now. But id like to hear your opinion on this. Cos i dont think Andy has anyright to disregard the information that my boyfriend has given him because he has evidence (me) to back him up on this one!

Thanks all


Michelle x

Hello Michelle
I think that you and your boyfriend are quite correct to worry about this man's attitude.
It may well be that the ability of the arm to go into the recovery position won't affect the outcome of being rescued, but I do think he should take it in to account.
He says you're the only person in Carluke that has this condition, but I KNOW for a fact that there is or was one other family who have a child with bpi that live in Carluke!
I think they may have moved recently , but I do remember a family in our group who lived in Carluke. Also he should remember that if he moves to another centre in Scotland he may well come across one of the other 49 people in our group with obpi !!!
I think at least, he has an obligation to look into the matter from a Disability Discrimination Act point of view.
Karen

Since I had to be rescued from a rip tide when I was 18 years old, this can indeed be a very real issue! I have no idea how the life guard got me out, I just remember having swallowed an awful lot of water and being really embarrassed!

So keep at em Michelle. They should realize that there are lots of different disabilities and should learn some alternative methods.

Nancy

how does your arm lie? because when u put me in the recovery position u have to put me on my right side even though that is the arm affected this is because it lies at the correct angle my, problem would be if they put me on to my left side as i do not think that would work!
Anna<

i HAVE A FOUR YEAR OLD WITH BPI AND THIS BOTHERS ME BECAUSE IF ALL LIFE GUARD SUPERVISORS FEEL THIS WAY, WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS WHEN MY SON IS IN THE POOL....DON'T BACK DOWN ANS REMEMBER...ANDY HAS A SUPERVISOR TOO.....go for it !!!

Am I the only one who doesn't know what the recovery position is? I can't picture this!

Carolyn

Have a look at thi site and you will see why this could be difficult for someone with a bpi.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/first ... very.shtml

Liz B

Thanks Lizzy and Michelle.... great job in calling this to everyone's attention........ great link

I just never thought of this .... and am greatful I never needed to be rescued......

You stick to it Michelle.... you are really a great example of someone who is now empowered ... because you are now armed with the information....

You really are a very strong and great example of how bpi should handel these situations... so proud of you
Thanks for calling this to everyone's attention....

Kath

Thanx for your opinioins on this! i will stick at it because it is an issue that has to be addressed.

Even though some kind of recover position would be possible im still gonna try and get somethin done about it bcos i think that lifeguard that was savin a person would natrually panic slightly but wot would they do if they couldnt preform the task they were supposed to? so im jst gonna go up and speak to him and see wot he has to say!

Michelle

Hi all, just wanted to add when some of us from work were trained as 1st aiders the paramedic who took the course never once mentioned any precautions or alterations of technique for BP injured patients, not one sentence in four days intensive training ~ it's not just lifeguards need educating about this! Good luck :O)