United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Haven't been to this site in several years, love the new format especially the comments from adults with BPI. Thanks for the info for schools, gives our teachers a heads up before I meet with them.

My daughter is 7 yo, has a severe ROBPI. She learned to swim this summer and now we can't keep her out of the deep end! She has been in gymnastics since she was 2 yo, her OT is very impressed! She has a beautiful cartwheel and handstand, I still cringe (with a smile on my face of course) when she is on the bars, she has an amazing instructor who has taught her how to make several moves work for her. The gracefullness is coming although the technique looks awkward at first, if that makes sense. I need to add there are several moves she cannot do and knows she can't.
A question about playing the piano: will this just frustrate her, wear her out? Seems like alot of effort (on her part) to hold your hand/arm up (I don't play), but seems like great therapy. On the computer she will use her left hand to punch keys and operate the mouse altho I have kept mouse on the right side to encourage her to use, she reaches across with her left out of habit and uses it sideways.
I really appreciate comments/opinions about this.
Thanks so much.

My daughter is nine years old and began playing a year ago. Her piano teacher said she has never seen such a gifted pianist. She is playing better than her students who have played for five years. I, too, was concerned about the frustration with this, but she has found a way to compensate by raising her arm slightly (she doesn't have much wrist control). I wish you could hear her play....it is unbelievable, and so inspirational considering her arm limitations.

Good luck!

A lot depends upon the extent of the injury.

I remember shedding many a tear that I could not play the piano when all my friends were getting lesssons. Because mine is a complete plexus injury, I do not have any independent finger movement not could I pronate enough to put hands on keys as a child.

So I think it depends upon the child's particular injury as to whether or not this is possible and should be encouraged.

Nancy

Hi! Your daughter sounds like she is really doing great!:) Cartwheels - wow that's a tough one - good for her!! (My daughter, 11, still working on that one).
About the piano - Brittney started piano in January and when I first spoke to the teacher she asked over the phone if Brittney was capable of keeping both hands palm down facing the keys, with rolled fingers like your holding a softball, and could she move each finger separately. She said that she would need to be able to do these things in order to play without getting too frustrated. Thankfully my child is capable of that and is doing great and loves it - but her left arm does get tired because of the way she has to hold her arm in order to get her fingers to the keys on her injured side.
Hope this helps,
Christy

If she seems drawn to the instrument, try it. For therapy and emotional reasons. If two hands are just too hard for her, there are classical compositions written for one handed players.

BTW - I was never able to do cartwheels even with two good arms.

Stacy

Everyone in my family plays the piano and I just could not master it. I took lessons on and off until sixth grade. I realize why I wanted to play - just because everyone else did. I understand why my mother kept pushing me to play - we did not have formal therapy when I was young and she wanted me to stretch my fingers to get them moving... I found it difficult and uncomfortable and very hard to do it was too much work for me. But my Mother kept allowing me to start and stop... and then she would sign me up again. I guess it was the best therapy she could find and it did help because I don't find typing a big problem...

My three children took lessons and play but I never went back for more. I realize I never was attracted to the piano it was another form of home therapy.
I still can't play anything... lol...

Kath