United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi Everyone,
Every few months, I get a friendly phone call from dear Dorothy Scullin, in Southern California, who calls to update me on her daughter. The purpose of these updates is to give me information that I can pass along to others, since Dorothy's daughter is entering pre-teen years, and she has and continues to pave the way for the younger bpi kids. Here's the latest:

Her daughter has found success using a product made by a company called "Origins," to help heal her surgical scars. It is a citrus based product, made from all natural ingredients. It is sold at major department stores in the cosmetic section. (Macy's is one that Dorothy mentioned by name.) It has turned the scars on her daughters' body from a red/pink color to her normal skin tone. While you still see the outline of a scar, the skin is no longer discolored. They are thrilled with the product.

Regarding school:
Her daughter had an IEP done, which allows for the school to recognize her daughter's disability and provide a successful learning environment for her. As a result, these are the latest successes they have experienced:

The school provides a computer program called, "5 Finger Typist." It's a program that allows you to pick which hand you can use, right or left. Once you've entered that information, it teaches you to learn to type with one hand. She said this has been an amazing help to her daughter, as she is writing reports now and such.

Also, she has found a child's keyboard, now provided to her daughter for use at school, and in addition, one for her daughter's home use. It's available at Fry's Electronics for $20.00. Again, the school covered these expenses due to the IEP.

Regarding Hearing Loss Assistance:
Her daughter now uses a tool they fondly call an "audiobox", but truly, it is a hearing device that works in conjunction with a hearing aid her daughter wears, and it is connected to a small microphone that the teacher wears. The teacher has the ability to turn it on or off, and this allows the teacher to speak privately to her daughter, or publicly to the entire class by the turn of a switch. The school also provides this device free of charge, and in conjunction with the IEP guidelines. The teachers are very accepting of this process and her daughter is doing exceptionally well in school because of this assistance.

Okay, those are Dorothy's tips for now. She welcomes your questions or feedback and has asked me to give you all her email address: mentototoo@aol.com, and please note in the subject space, "BPI," so she'll know it's an important email!

Cathy

Thanks for updating us on the scar lotion and the IEP/school tips. Those of us with younger children can bank this info. and save it for future reference. It helps us start asking those questions now, preparing the way for our children once they start formal education. Hope all is well with you and your family, Cathy!

Hi Louise,
Thanks for your feedback. You know, I don't recall where Dorothy said you could obtain the 5 Finger Typist Program, but you can email her and I'm sure she'll tell you where she located it. Her email address is: mentototoo@aol.com. Dorothy is great about staying in touch. I'll be sure to continue to post as she updates me. Good luck on your search! Cathy

Hi Karen,
I agree with you! It is SO helpful to have someone who is slightly older than your child report back to tell us what they've experienced so that we can benefit from their research. No need to reinvent the wheel! My family is doing great, thanks! Elyssa is really experiencing success with Feldenkrais method. It's been a really amazing experience to watch her move her arm and shoulder in ways in which she couldn't before. We're sticking with this! How are things with you and yours? All the best, Karen! Cathy