United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Attention teen and adult OBPI,
The awareness committee is in the process of creating and awareness brochure that will be easily accessible online so that anyone can print them and hand them out in an attemp to slow/stop the occurance of this injury. And create awareness about challenges that we face.

What we need from you all as injured people is what you would like to see in an awareness brochure to enlighten those around us. What information would you like to have available to hand out? Anything you can add would be greatly appreciated!

The goal is to have these brochures created and in pdf format online before awareness week so that they can be used during awareness week.

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!
Amy
UBPN BOD Awareness Committee Chair

To let parents know to let their kids try anything they want, of course only if it is allowed by the MD. (i am thinking about swinging/gymnastics..). Try any sport they want (with MD permission), music classes, playing in the park...

Don't suffocate your kids, try not to put them in a bubble, even though it is so tempting... (I know you get that Amy).

Teach how to tell other kids/adults what is wrong with their arm, in simple terms.

I'm not feeling perceptive just now.. but, when I was young it bugged me that people assumed I had cerebral palsy. So, simply identifying the injury would be a point.

I think I was 24 when a doctor reminded me it was Erb's palsy again.

I agree completely with Marieke!

When I was a child, my mother wouldn't let me do anything! I wasn't allowed to learn to ride a bike - for fear of hurting my "good" arm and being left with two "useless" arms. I wasn't allowed to learn to swim - for fear I wouldn't be able to do it and would drown!

My doctor told me no gymnastics, but that was the only restriction HE put on me. My mother, well-meaning as she was, made me afraid to try ANYTHING for fear of my getting hurt. This has carried on into my adult like as an internal thing. So let your children try things - encourage them to try.

And make sure your children understand exactly what happened to them. I never knew the whole story until I was 39!