United Brachial Plexus Network

This post is right up my alley!! Background: I spend ~20 hours a week in the water training for swim competitions. I just got back from swimming World Championships about two weeks ago, but my real goal is London 2012 (I also competed in Beijing in 2008). I currently hold a world record in the 100 m...

I love the advice in this thread! I also want to add that it's okay to ask for help. Too many of my friends talk about how they're "not crazy and don't need to see no shrink" and so they don't see anyone about their depression. I hate the stigma attached to psychiatrists/psychologists. The...

If your son is still interested in being competitive in ski racing (and it sounds like he is!), I'd really like to introduce him to Paralympics. If it's too soon after his accident to even be contemplating it, I completely understand, but if it's not then I really encourage it! A good friend of mine...

I went through one when I flew home from Holland last summer. I simply told them that I couldn't raise my arm, and they just nodded said to do what I could. I thought it was going to be a big deal, but it wasn't at all.

I've had a graft, but not a transfer, if I'm reading the definitions correctly. My accident was 11.5 years ago, and my surgery was 11 years ago. My arm has gone from being completely flail (6 of my nerves were avulsed) to having some movement. I never lost tricep function, but I did lose all bicep f...

I do remember the trouble with washing my hair initially. My problem, though, wasn't getting the shampoo/conditioner out but getting the shampoo spread evenly. My left side was always easier for some reason ... ;) My first problem was figuring out how to hold the shampoo since I could no longer sque...

I'll be there that Saturday! Unfortunately, I can't stay longer than a day, but I am excited to go!!

<r>I remember going through those exact same feelings when I was that age. It was awful. (I'm a TBPI, but my accident happened when I was 8 so I went through a lot of the same things that OBPIs go through growing up.)<br/> <br/> For me, sports and art helped me tremendously. Rather than hang out by ...

<t>My right (bp) arm doesn't burn faster or worse than my other arm that I've noticed, but that's probably because I am able to put tons of sunscreen on it and I reapply often. With my left arm, however, I have to find someone else to put sunscreen on it so I apply left often. That's just me, though...

<r>One of the best things that ever happened to me was getting involved with the Paralympics. I was incredibly self-conscious about my arm until I started hanging out with people with all kinds of disability. With them, however, I'm normal. There's no staring or sympathy or awkward questions, just c...