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Empowered by a ... sling?

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 5:10 pm
by cduggan
(Sorry about the multiple message board postings--I just want to be sure to reach parents out there! I wish I would have had the sling as a child.)

I'm posting for 2 reasons: first, a line of encouragement to any reader who has BPI (or has a child with BPI) and has never been able to be physically active. Consider buying the athletic sling discussed on this website! I don’t think you’ll be sorry.

I am a 43 year old woman who suffered my injury during the birthing process. I’ve never known what it is like to have two arms, exercise or play sports. Over the years, I occasionally would wish I could run or rein my horses with two hands. I tried to wear an old shoulder sling that we had around the house, and secretly go down a dirt road to find a place to run where no one would ever see my arm flailing about. But it hurt my neck and back and jarred my shoulder. In the end, I’d just take a deep breath and think: “That was that. There’s no use crying over spilled milk.”

This past fall, on a complete whim one afternoon while avoiding work at my desk, I ran across this site and read about people with my injury who were . . . running?! I was a bit skeptical but I asked for a sling for Christmas (2012) and have been running!! I LOVE IT! For the first time in my life, I can pump my arms (mostly ;) ) when running and not worry about injuring my arm or wrist. It’s only been 5 weeks, but there’s a part of me that is alive now that wasn’t before. I’m experiencing the joy of exercise and benefits of running for the first time in 43 years! I don’t think of myself as handicapped, so a few times I’ve caught myself thinking, “why, oh why didn’t I take up running before now?” and then I remember, “The sling. I could never do this before I had the sling.”

Which brings me to my second reason for writing, which is a sincere “thank you” to Dan for pushing forward to design it and let others know about it, and caring enough to follow up. To date, Dan is the first and only person with a brachial plexus injury I’ve ever known, emailed or spoken with. So to Dan I say “You are special person. Thank you for what you’re doing, and I WILL let you know when I run my first 5K!” :D

Re: Empowered by a ... sling?

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 10:04 pm
by claudias
I have to second this notion.
My daughter is a competitive tennis player. Part of being competitive at her level is training. And that includes running. She met Dan at ubpnCamp and was wowed by him and his sling. We ordered one and she can run now! She doesn't love running ( partially paralyzed diaphragm means lots of metered breathing), but she does it without pain now! And, it is a handy place for her phone!!!

thanks Dan!

claudia

Re: Empowered by a ... sling?

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:41 am
by F-Litz
can you post the link to the sling? thanks :)

Re: Empowered by a ... sling?

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:18 pm
by Carolyn J
Cduggan, thank you for this post.
Fran, the link is on the TBPI Forum. It was GREAT to meet Dan and Paul Frietak at Camp 2012!!!! Dan demonstrated his 1 handed shoe tie-ing skill for us. All the teens were in awe of his skills!
FYI, everyone is welcome on any message board. I learn sooo much about pain management from there.
Carolyn J
LOBPI/74

Re: Empowered by a ... sling?

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 6:57 pm
by Dan
F-Litz wrote:can you post the link to the sling? thanks :)
http://ubpn.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=18806

Let me know if you have any questions,
Dan