United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

HEy just a quick question that I hope someone can help with....I was up north for the 4th on my buddies boat. We jumped off to swim, me thinking nothing about it. Then we went to climb the ladder and I was like.... "how the hell am I going to do this?" Then I just wanted to cry! I could do it in my head but couldnt make my arm do it. I have some decent hand function so i could hold the ladder but couldnt get it. My friends threw me a life jacket to put on. I climbed 1 step and was just kinda dangeling. Then they graabbed the life jacket and pulled me over the edge, back into the boat. I have HUGE bruses on my knees from it. I was wondering if anyone has mastered a ladder yet? Please help me!
~Courtney xoxo

Girl, I know what its like I just pull myself up let go and reach for the next rung. You'll figure it out with time. And get used to the bruises I get alot of them.

Jeff

Climbing ladders - I spend alot of times on boats and have found that climbling a ladder takes a lot of leg strength, as you use your legs for balance and climbing. It is also helpful to grab the ladder on the opposite of your good arm. If you grab on the same side, it will throw your body to that side. A longer ladder helps as well because you can use the water boyancy to help you get started. You climb with your legs and use your arm for balance.

-Rich

Hi Courtney...I managed the ladder problem a few years ago when we were on a friends boat in Aukland....use your 'good' hand and hold on to the middle of the ladder rung; like someone else has posted here, use your legs to climb and your hand to steady you.

Going DOWN the ladder was a bit more difficult..this time I rested my chin over the rung before letting go and grabbing the rung below...

I should write a book the awser is to hold on with Erbs arm and reach with the good one! and then pull your self out.this is something being a diver that I have dealt with for 20yrs. Not something alot of people would know at all.so I hope this will help.thank you for trying this is what its all about,getting behoned the ERBS! I am Here how can I help YOU!!

thanks for the advice everyone! i was on the boat again on saturday and sunday and the ladder was NO PROBLEM! my friends were quite impressed, to say the least! really there is nothing that we CAN"T do!!! thanks aggain!
~Courtney xoxo

Don't sweat it- you'll be able to do what you need to do in time. I got 10 years with this thing and I can do stuff that freaks people out. I ride motorcycles left handed,tie my shoes,build bikes...I even figured out how to hammer a nail with one hand (chewing gum figures heavily on this one).I think we all have a lot more Mcguiver in us than we know.