United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I'm beginning to feel like the bpi arm has taken on a life of it's own. I noticed on our recent trip back east that people do not ask how Gabrielle is doing. It's not how tall is she, how cute her curls are. It's always "how is Gabrielle's arm doing?" Sometimes I feel like people do not see this beautiful, bright, funny, loving child attached to THE ARM! I know people are concerned for her and us but do they really want to hear about the surgeries, therapy, splints and such? I just answer "getting better all the time." I think I am going to start saying "great and you should see her pretend reading". Or "great but you should see how tall she is now". Just so they know the child that goes with the arm. Sorry for the self indulgent message. Just needed to get it off my chest! Thanks guys.

I know exactly what you mean. And then there are the ones that will ask in depth questions and hearing all of that they will still say "well kids are good about that stuff, best to do it while they are young so they won't remember" or "you never know, she could just up and start using that arm just like the rest of us tomorrow" or "well, looking at her you could hardly tell anything is wrong with it"-it happens to be shorter, she can only lift it about ninety degrees, she has to swing it to get it to go anywhere and can't use her hand, need I go on?

Then in splint times you get these stares and then others will ask or make comments (which I much prefer) but back away real quick when you say it was a birth injury or tell you that the dr. must be terribly upset. What about her mommy and the rest of her family? The dr. just said oh well most of the kids heal.

thanks tina..that felt pretty good.

Gosh Tina, we must know the same people because those are just about the only words we hear too. "How's the arm?" When people ask me, I tell them everything. The good, the bad and the ugly. I figure if they didn't want to know it ALL, they wouldn't have asked! But I understand your fustration in that question. It would be so nice to have your child be known for something other than their injury. Mitchell is smart, has killer dimples, is a great swimmer and is an excellent artist. I want him to be known for that FIRST!! And by gosh, someday he will be!

Gosh Tina, we must know the same people because those are just about the only words we hear too. "How's the arm?" When people ask me, I tell them everything. The good, the bad and the ugly. I figure if they didn't want to know it ALL, they wouldn't have asked! But I understand your fustration in that question. It would be so nice to have your child be known for something other than their injury. Mitchell is smart, has killer dimples, is a great swimmer and is an excellent artist. I want him to be known for that FIRST!! And by gosh, someday he will be!