United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi everybody,

a few month ago, I wrote the first time. Our daughter Lea was born in June 2004 with Erb's Palsy in her right arm.

Now she's 4 and does very, very well. But - she doesn't use her affected arm as good as she could.... Perhaps you know this situation? Her therapist says, her arm and shoulder ist in good condition for this time, so she seems to "forget" to use her right arm; i.e. when she runs, the right arm does not "run". I must remember her all times, to take her affected arm. She can - but she don't. Does somebody know this, too?

I hope I found the right words to describe our (my? ) little problem. This situation is a little bit difficult to me, because a few weeks ago this all was no problem...

Greets, Katrin

Katrin:
Often the kids don't use the affected arm because their sensation is not good. Therefore, the affected arm isn't "connected" to the brain or the world around it. I know this is part of the problem for my daughter Juliana. The other problem is that the affected arm just doesn't do things very well. So, in the mind of the bpi kid, they just do things the most effective way--and for many of them that doesn't include the affected arm.

We have encouraged Juliana's use of her arm two ways: 1. I sounded like a broken record: use two hands. I told her to use her left hand/arm ALL THE TIME. I hated it, but it did get through to her. and 2. by getting her to do everyday tasks with two hands. She helped with the laundry-with two hands, helped with dinner-with two hands. This way, she saw how two hands "works".

I will tell you, that she does what she can with two hands. She still prefers not to use it because it is "annoying". But she is almost 9 years old and everything that doesn't go her way is "annoying".

As for running, some kids learn to "pump" their arm, if they can. others don't. Juliana can't pump her arm, so she runs with it extended infront of her. She is, however, quite fast, so it doesn't have any ill effects.

good luck,
claudia

Claudia, thanks for your answer. It's quite good for me to hear, that more bpi kids than Lea prefer the other arm...
Like a broken record - that's I feel like too. Couldn't better tell it.
However, I'll follow your way and will get her to do everyday tasks with both hands. She loves it to help in the household (we will see, how long... )

Bye, Katrin

Maia's OT helped her learn how to do things one-armed. She was so excited to finally be able to do things one armed because doing things with two arms frustrated her so much. It was like a bright and sunny day the day she learned how to open up milk and yogurt containers with one hand

Is it bad that I dont harp on Maggie to use both arms. I just look at her and think well I wouldnt want to try with what she has so should I make her try to do something that might not work and then get her frustrated, but then again I didnt think she would ever tie shoes or zip or coat but she does and it is so amazing.

Nothing you do is "bad". Harping on Juliana was one of the ways we got her to use two hands. She can do so many things with one hand. But because of her poor sensation, we had to get that arm into use. We knew that was the only way to really get it to develop. I didn't harp forever. And I don't say anything now (she is 9). I think we did it more when she was a toddler. Now, when she is doing homework and the paper is moving all over the place, I'll ask her why she isn't holding it down. If she says her arm hurts or is tired, then I tape her paper to the table or countertop. (We also have an agreement with her teacher that I can write for her)

Don't sweat it. Do what works for you.

claudia


Message was edited by: claudia

I know this might sound hard and i did cry when thomas' therapist did it but we would tie thomas' good arm down bye his side and make him use his left bpi arm. It worked he hated it and cried and I cried but he learned he could use it for lots of things. Know he is 7 and in school. Our biggest thing is he knows he is diffent I have always told him he was special. With time they learn and learn protect that arm.

My granddaugther is 10 I use rewards to use the right arm we play ball and all that only if she would use her right arm.NO tieing mr lefty down These kids have enough to deal with.Hope still use Mr lefty but she uses both she can almost do everything with both .we put a brace on the arm to below the elbow and walk 20 mins a day swing the arms( you know mr lefty will swing but when it is mr righty turn it is hard ) but they can do it .These kids are so strong.Walking the fingers up the wall is fun to at 4 .God bless you.

Oh yes you can write for her she can even get dictation write for test at school there are resourse for these kids

I believe it's important for obpi kids to learn to use both hands as much as possible. We need to learn tasks that are ordinary to others but difficult for us ... It is important for circulation and exercise for our arms. I still forget to use my arm and I can use it thanks to my Mother's nagging.

Because she constantly reminded me to use "both" hands or use my arm, I knew I was in trouble a few years ago.
I could hear her voice in my ear saying "Kathleen, thumb out." It was then, I realized I was sitting holding my arm up and my thumb was in... I needed to be back in PT and have some serious ART therapy to help with contracture's.

I worry about using only one arm because of all the problems we have, as adults, due to overuse of the unaffected arm. We should at least use our arm/hands as helpers. I don't have strength but was forced to use my arm as a helper... I was also forced to write with my right hand...ugh... painful and often my mother did some of my writing for me. The teachers never understood about the cramping and pain from long papers.

I want to remind those whose children write with bpi hand that sometimes the pencils are light and we tend to squeeze them because we can't feel them. Fat cold/metal pens aways make me pay attention and I don't squeeze the pen until my hand hurts.

Kath robpi/adult 69/ grateful for all the nagging NOW!