United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I was reading a message from Yesterday from some of you moms about Preschool. I started feeling a little queasy from the thought. Peyton just turned 4 and is going in Pre-K next week. ARRGGHHHH! Our lil pumpkin is really growning up. The arm pulling thing scares me ... My husband and I have been so paranoid of ANYBODY AND EVERYBODY touching peyton's arm wrong. (a Little exaggeration there), but just sad and scared for my little girl. Thanks for letting me share.. HUMMM Anyways, i read somewhere just the other day about a message to school teachers from us parents, NO RED ROVER or DODGEBALL!!!

Hey Teresa!

Are you the Sharpsteens? Do you remember our family, Pat, Joni and Machera from Texas in 2000? Machera is starting preschool this year as well, next week actually, and I'm so nervous. If you are who I think you are, send me an email sometime, I'd love to chat offline w/you! My email is sandoval.joni@epa.gov
Good luck w/Peyton and preschool, with a caring and concerned mom like you she'll do great!

Teresa:

I totally know what you're going through! I was the one who posted that message about my son Danny's preschool. What's so hard is that the kids are too little to really understand, and therefore explain, the problems with their arms to a teacher or other kids. So self-defense is a problem.
I can't tell you how relieved I've been after each class this week, where the preschool teacher has told me about Danny, "Everything went fine. He did GREAT!"
I'm sure Peyton's going to be fine, too! Hang in there. I think giving her as normal a life as possible can only be positive, and it kind of begins with preschool (at least, that's what I keep telling myself!).
And don't worry ... they don't play Red Rover or dodgeball in preschool!

Take care,
Janet

Rosalynn is 3 with LOBPI She started Preschool last year. I was nervouse, but she is very good about reminding people not to hold her left hand or pick her up under the arm pits, she is nice about it but very firm. I am sure your little one will do fine.

bump

Oh, I remember the pre school jitters well, I could not even take my son to pre-school, my husband had to do it all the time, because all I would do all day is cry. My son who is now seven was no better. I am going through the same thing this year, he is seven, is in second grade and is starting a new school. I sat at the computer the other day and just couldn't stop crying, printing out all the information the schools need to know.....will they read it, will they follow the procedures I have mapped out for them? The old school was so receptive to the whole BPI issue, they never had a problem with allowing him to adapt but will this school be the same.....? I hope so, I do not want to go through the whole IEP/504 situation....I am stressed....what makes this worse is he is my baby......I would keep him home if the state would allow it. It is such an awful feeling !!!

Hey all, just thought I'd share a funny. I was so worried about Brittney starting preschool and how she'd do (Just like the rest of you). I had tried as hard as I could to prepare her and build her confidence - and she knew that she was stronger than the other kids BECAUSE of her injury - you have to be tough to have an arm injury. Well maybe I overdid the "building up the confidence part" because one day when I picked her up from pre-school she stomped up, very mad, and got into the car. She said, "Brian told me that I Do NOT have the cutest sneeze in the world and you always told me that I did!!!!" She was ticked! LOL I finally told her that maybe they both had the greatest sneezes - LOL Anyway, it is scary to send your little one off but if you show fear they will be scared too I think.
Christy

Preschool teachers are usually very kind and very understanding about the injury. I had no problems with ours and they even helped with therapy (play and otherwise).
Talk with them and put your mind at ease. It will be great for Peyton and she will grow up with kids that will have an understanding of her injury (or at least, a better acceptance). Emma started daycare/preschool and with many of the children she will be entering the 4th grade with this year. They all love her and never have treated her badly.

Peggy