How do your kids adopt the affected arm?
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Carolyn J
- Posts: 3424
- Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.
My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!
I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too. - Location: Tacoma WA
- Contact:
Re: How do your kids adopt the affected arm?
I believe talking openly about your child's affected arm and confronting strategies and tools to help adapt tasks, is best to find solutions needed too. It's not easy and takes alot of patience, but it can be done.
Yes, I tend to preach & nag too,Kath.
Carolyn J
LOBPI/70
Yes, I tend to preach & nag too,Kath.
Carolyn J
LOBPI/70
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
Adult LOBPI
Re: How do your kids adopt the affected arm?
Hello,
I am a 40 year old female with Erb's Palsy in my left arm that occured as the result of a breech birth. Normally, I do no post on message boards but saw your message and believe that I can offer some insight on the problem that you have noticed.
I do have full range of motion from the elbow down and can extend my arm in front of me, but I am unable to extend my arm to the side, behind the back, or above my head unless I pull it with my right arm. Sensation in my left arm is significantly decreased, I consider this a gift compared to the pain that many people experience.
As a child, I also would forget to take my arm when running. I didn't notice that my arm wasnt running with the rest of me. The use of my left arm is not automatic like it is with my right. I have to make a conscious effort for all movement that is made with this arm. As I got older (especially as a self conscious teenager), I remembered to at least bend my arm at the elbow.
Encourgement to use the right arm without ridicule is the best thing you can do for her. Even if she doesn't have full range of motion, the ability to use the right arm in a supportive role is important because not doing so may result in overuse problems in the left arm when she is older.
Don't ever stop doing the physical therapy or she will lose the range of motion that you have worked so hard to obtain. Playing musical instruments is excellent exercise for the fingers. I found playing instruments that are kept close to the body (clarinets, oboe, or saxophone)were better than something like a trumpet or trombone that had to be held up.
There is an increased risk for serious injury to this arm because of the reduced sensation. I can't feel cuts or scrapes when they happen. Burns while cooking, curling hair, chemical burns are a problem because it isn't always noticed until it's already happened.
I hope my perspective on this situation helps. This problem is not common and as a child I never met anyone with Erb's Palsy. Luckily, your daughter will have more opportunity to contact others with Erb's Palsy through the internet which may offer comfort in the years to come.
Best Wishes to Your Family,
Melissa
I am a 40 year old female with Erb's Palsy in my left arm that occured as the result of a breech birth. Normally, I do no post on message boards but saw your message and believe that I can offer some insight on the problem that you have noticed.
I do have full range of motion from the elbow down and can extend my arm in front of me, but I am unable to extend my arm to the side, behind the back, or above my head unless I pull it with my right arm. Sensation in my left arm is significantly decreased, I consider this a gift compared to the pain that many people experience.
As a child, I also would forget to take my arm when running. I didn't notice that my arm wasnt running with the rest of me. The use of my left arm is not automatic like it is with my right. I have to make a conscious effort for all movement that is made with this arm. As I got older (especially as a self conscious teenager), I remembered to at least bend my arm at the elbow.
Encourgement to use the right arm without ridicule is the best thing you can do for her. Even if she doesn't have full range of motion, the ability to use the right arm in a supportive role is important because not doing so may result in overuse problems in the left arm when she is older.
Don't ever stop doing the physical therapy or she will lose the range of motion that you have worked so hard to obtain. Playing musical instruments is excellent exercise for the fingers. I found playing instruments that are kept close to the body (clarinets, oboe, or saxophone)were better than something like a trumpet or trombone that had to be held up.
There is an increased risk for serious injury to this arm because of the reduced sensation. I can't feel cuts or scrapes when they happen. Burns while cooking, curling hair, chemical burns are a problem because it isn't always noticed until it's already happened.
I hope my perspective on this situation helps. This problem is not common and as a child I never met anyone with Erb's Palsy. Luckily, your daughter will have more opportunity to contact others with Erb's Palsy through the internet which may offer comfort in the years to come.
Best Wishes to Your Family,
Melissa
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Martha
Re: How do your kids adopt the affected arm?
Melissa, YOU GO GIRL! I am 50 and both of my arms were effected. I can only extend them out in front and to the sides about 8 inches. There are so many things that I HAVE been able to do in my life. You learn to adapt. I didn't realize that I was different until I was in the 3rd grade and was supposed to do some type of dance moves in gym class! I do think that in a strange sort of way, it was good for me to have both arms effected as I didn't favor the so called "good" arm. To all you parents out there, keep encouraged you child to use BOTH arms. Don't feel bad about "nagging" as in their later years like me, the use of the muscles is more important than ever. HANG IN THERE!
