United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I have a BPI to my right arm bue to a motorcycle accident last march2002 i severed c5 c6 c7 and damaged c8 and t1 so i have no power in my arm and my hand moves quite well but i cant use it because it is hytper sensitive and gives me a lot of pain.I am recieving lower rate care from the disability but no mobility and i find satanding for a period of time my hand goes blue due to poor circulation which can give me pain and i find i get very sore backs especially round my neck and my lower back due to the weight of my arm which i think restricts my mobility is anyone recieving disability and what rates?????

Hi there, I don't know if you checked the tbpi site in the UK, it's at www.tbpi-uk.org.uk there's a section in 'resources' about benefits available here's a link http://tbpiukgroup.homestead.com/benefitsguide.html

oops that website addy for the tbpi group i posted is wrong, the right one's listed as my homepage if you click on my name above this post. There are profiles about many of the peeps who helped set up the site and a section with pictures of some of us doing stuff that even 2 handed peeps don't do.... The site has a message board where we talk about tbpi and anything else that takes our fancy, it's a pretty laid back place check it out! http://pub28.ezboard.com/fadultswithbra ... rm1?page=1 We have a disproportionately large number of Scots posting, and lots of bikers and ex bikers from all over. TBPI is by far the commonest cause of bpi in the UK, and bikers get most of them. Come over and introduce yourself!
Great to hear you have some hand movement with such a bad injury, I've heard and read a lot about Prof. Birch, he literally wrote the book on tbpi, you're in good hands. Those awful pains in your hand should subside a lot with time, especially if those nerve grafts 'take', but ask Prof Birch when you see him, he knows a lot about the pain and has published articles on it. I think most of us get it in the hand, mine's more in the palm and thumb and has stopped being constant now.
Nice to meet you anyway, hi from a Sassenach in NZ :0)

Hi
Jenny has given you great advice regarding the TBPI website - they have several members who have recently successfully claimed DLA at the middle rate.
I am involved in the Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury group and I thought I would let you know that most of our members are claiming DLA and get middle rate - some even qualify for lower rate mobility component also.
You can appeal against the amount of DLA awarded - many people do, with the right sort of information given to the Benefits agency you can have your award changed. If you post at the tbpi message board, the members there can advise you about the sort of things to write in your letter.
Just remember that as well as giving you more DLA the Benefits agency can take your allowance off you too - although that is VERY RARE!
I hope this information will be useful
Hope your surgery goes well !
Karen

thank you both very much i have appealed once already and lost but i am going to appeal again soon thank you i will investigate what i can claim at that link with other people