United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello to my Moms friends! I have decided that I want to be a part of this message board. I think my mom has been talking to some of you for about 7 years now. I have been through a lot, but my Mom says that you were all a big help to her. My mom has spent many hours on this message board. I wonder why? Anyway, here is my question. I am shy to ask, but Mom said that you all know who I am, so that I do not need to be shy. My question to all of you is the following...I think I will have to start shaving my armpits soon, but I need to know how you do that with 1 hand. I really have a hard time lifting my right arm very high...then I have a hard time getting my right hand to the left armpit...Do you understand what I am asking...I am anxious to get your answers. Thank you...Miss Elizabeth

Welcome Elizabeth!
This is how I shave my bpi arm pit, I prop the bpi elbow against the wall or a towel rack to hold it up. Then I can shave the arm pit..My good arm I shave it with my good hand.Kind of curled the wrist under to shave it. Hope this helps, if you have any other questions, just ask away....Judy

Hi Madame Judy, Thanks for your quick response. Can I ask you another question? How do I get my injured right hand to shave under my left arm? My right hand can't get that far. Thanks...Elizabeth

I am LOBPI. I, too, prop my left arm up on the wall and shave it with my right hand. My right side I shave with my right hand too. Just bend your arm at the elbow like a monkey and your hand will be in about the right position to shave its own arm.

Hi Miss E!
Did your mom show you the project I did on Power Point for school? I had a pic of you in there that your mom sent me.

OK, for shaving... here is what I used to do before I got strong enough (same way I did pony tails and dry and brush my hair at the same time too).
I sit on my bed on prop my BPI arm up on my knee (like I sit with my knee bent up with my foot on the bed), then am able to get it to where I need it to be OR I sit cross legged on the bed/floor and hold razor with my BPI arm and shave the other side that way, because you can lean in that way and shave.

Does this help?
Marieke (31, LOBPI)
http://nurse-to-be08.blogspot.com/

ps: don't be shy around us, we all know who you are (all good things) and we all ask each other questions too!

Hello there Miss Elizabeth. I am glad to see you posting on your own. Welcome!

I don't have anything to add to what the others have said. I too do the 'monkey' position to shave under the unaffected arm. But I wanted to say hi and to encourage you to keep posting!

Nancy Birk
UBPN President

Hi Miss Elizabeth! I'm so glad to see you here. We miss you a lot and we're wondering when you are coming to Philadelphia again? I'm so glad you're going to learn how to do this because when Maia needs to shave then you can teach her! Please let us know how it works out.

I have absolutely nothing helpful or useful to say but wanted to say WELCOME anyway!

Kate

Miss Elizabeth! Its great to see you posting!!! You dont have to be shy, we ask interesting questions all the time. Especially if you look on the adult board, we have lots of crazy stuff there

For shaving, I prop my right arm on the shower wall and shave that one then I do the "monkey" to shave my left. For me shaving my left armpit with my right arm would be dangerous, I would have cuts all over the place, so it looks pretty interesting but I do it with my left hand. Much safer that way.

If you have any more questions, ask away, we are here to help each other out!

Hugs,
Amy 19 ROBPI from MN

Hello Elizabeth,
Welcome to the Boards and PLEASE continue to ask us anything you want. FYI, I too, do the monkey position on my good side, it isn't always perfect but good enough (depending on if it is a new razor...they're the best kind to use..& disposable "cheapies".Good luck, Elizabeth.

Have your Mom get you the book "One-handed in a Two- handed World" by Tommye-Karen Mayer. There are fabulous
"How To's" in there. Have your Mom ask your local Library to get a copy for you to borrow & see if you like the ideas in there before she buys it. I do!

HUGS,
Carolyn J
LOBPI, 68 & Proud of it!


Message was edited by: Carolyn J