United Brachial Plexus Network

HI there. My name is Kathy O'Rourke, and my daughter Emma was born with a RBPI in 1999. She is now 12 and, after three surgeries, is doing great. With the help of Emma's therapist, I started a Chicago support group back in 2000 that brought together various BPI parents around the midwest. At our first meeting I met a woman named Jennifer Englehardt who has a daughter who suffered from a BPI and a man in his 50's named Michael Turano who had never before met anybody with the injury he lived with his entire life. That moment changed our lives. Our group helped us and others promote awareness of this injury for the next 7 years. We had several monthly meetings, annual picnics with Dr. Nath, holiday parties, etc. Unfortunately, our group lost its groove when Michael died suddenly, and shortly afterwards, Jennifer was diagnosed with breast cancer. Jennifer fought very courageously but lost her battle with this disease two years ago this month. Without Jennifer and Mike, our group lost momentum and became innactive.

Now that my daughter Emma is recently back in therapy I've been surprised to find that parents of children born with this injury today are just as in the dark as we were 12 years ago. Luckily, I have the same therapist helping Emma who we started with 12 years ago, and the two of us, along with other members of the group, are trying to reinvigorate our support group. We know it would be beneficial not only to new parents but also to us "old" ones as we learn about new issues our children face as they get older.

So, to keep this brief, we are looking for all you Chicago/Midwest (and anyone else for that matter) folks who would be interested in meeting to talk, vent, cry, learn, laugh and make friendships. We are hoping to get together in early October. If you are interested, please send me an e-mail, kathy.orourke@yahoo.com. We are looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new.

Hi Kathy
I am a TLPBI not birth but I live an hour north of Chicago. I would be very interested in attending a group get together if you found some Chicago area people. My injury happened to me just before my 18th birthday. Adult hood has all new struggles, especially with child birth and raising children. If you found anyone and you are still interested in doing something please let me know.

Kathleen Herff

Iv'e recently saw someone posting something recently, but there is fairly recent activity on the facebook page for chicago BPI, perhaps that would be a good place to start?

http://www.facebook.com/TheUBPN?sid=145 ... 2671694796

Thanks for the info. I did check it out and it's for OBPI. But again thanks for the info.

...just a thought..., :
I have found that TBPI'S and OBPI's have alot in common and can and do help one another. We are all one BPI Family. If somewhere you find it best to combine to make a group you will be amazed at the things like "Pain management" , "life activities of daily living(hygiene stuff) doing/learning doing with one-handed-ness " is possible to learn, for example.
off my soap box now
"bossy" gramma Carolyn J
LOBPI/73+