United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Thought all our mates from across the pond might like to know that the TBPI Group based in the UK has been awarded Charity Status in England and Wales after about a year of setting things up (i.e. forming a committee)finding the minimum funds needed (deepest gratitude to Hazel's family...)and writing a constitution for the group.

Now we are officially recognised and have received the registration number, it means we can raise funds easier and we will be taken more seriously as a group by the medical professions, fundraising organisations and any other official body who can help us fulfill the goals set out in our constitution.

It's been a bit of a struggle, but we are finally now able to get on with what we wanted to do in the first place which was (and always will be) to provide the means for adults suffering from these injuries to interact and share knowledge and educate others about these injuries including members of the medical professions.

Many people have been involved in helping to slowly get this up and running, some who weren't even aware of it! ;0)...too many to mention here, but I bet you all know who you are! Again, I want to thank Hazey's friends and family; we would not have got this far without them....

...right, now to get down to some SERIOUS work....!!!

Liz (very happy!!)

BIG CONGRATS LIZ! I am glad to hear about this! Keep up the great work and if I can help with anything please let me know!
COurt

Congratulations Liz. It is nice to get official recognition of the hard work that you do. Please know that UBPN supports you in your mission and we rejoice with you in the accomplishment of this huge step.

Nancy Birk
President, UBPN

Hi Nancy and Courtney...thanks for your best wishes!

Nancy, getting registered as a Charity is a bit more involved than getting recognised for hard work...if only it was that simple! We (the executive committee)have had to jump through hoops to prepare documents that are legal and binding, declare ourselves as fine upstanding members of the community (which of course we all ARE! lol!)form a Constitution (or governing document) for the group which is also a legal document that we MUST comply with, and last (but not least) prove we have the minimum amount of funds needed to register.

We have to have at least one meeting of members anually, produce a set of accounts and be able to account for every penny we spend in the name of the charity, and at no time will we be able to do anything in the name of the charity that falls outside of the constitution...I'm guessing its a bit like being a non-profit making organistaion in the US? Or are the UK Charity Commission rules more far reaching? (read; more interfering! lol!)

I am really happy that we have got this...at the very least, people will now take us more seriously and not see us as a bunch of injured bikers just out for a laugh or playing at supporting others, as we have been accused of in the past.

Once again, many thanks for your support Nancy; Courtney...you might be sorry you offered to help!! we have sooooooo much to do, and time flies by so quickly....!

Liz B
Chair, TBPI Group
reg. charity no; 1100691 :0) :0)

Congratulations and great work. I expect I shall see brachial plexus badges collections very shortly.

Liz,
Never sorry to offer my hel pBUT I am tryin gto learn when to say enough is enough! hahaah If there is anyhting that I can do please ask! I think that you guys have a great thing going over there! Hopefully I can get to the UK this summer and get to mett all of you too! BPIs must stick together right!?
COurt

Liz

Happy to hear you have managed to jump through all the hoops...

Here in US to form UBPN the group had to jump through hoops to be established and it is such hard work. I am so glad you have finish doing all the ground work and can get on to your real goals and mission to support to bpi... and educate the medical professionals.

Great going to all those who worked with you to acheive this goal.

cheers,
Kath

Lizzyb,

I would like for you to tell me all you know about
the phrenic nerve damage and the hemidiaphragm
paralysis from the phrenic nerve. My husband had
a cervical steroid injection and his diaphragm is
paralyzed. He has to use oxygen most of the time.
Very week and still has the original pain (plus even
more now). He is having lots of difficulty taking
pain medicines too. Has been put on lexapro because
of his being depressed. He went from working one day
to doing nothing the next. He had a hematoma in the
spinal area because of the steroid injection.

Have you had a pacemaker attached to the lung area,
or have you heard of this? Thanks for helping. Wanda