United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi- My daughter, now 15, suffered a total avulsion BPI from skiing as well 3 years ago. We did do many nerve transfers but have not gone to the muscle transfers due to other vascular complications from the injury. She also has a totally paralyzed left arm with only a shrug. Her nerve transfers were not successful. It has been a long process but she is doing well. She is still very active - has not skiied anymore; that was her first time skiing but she dances competitively. She is now playing 2 musical instruments. She really has a positive attitude and is trying not to let the arm define her. If your son would like to speak to another teenager with almost the same injury just let us know.

If your son is still interested in being competitive in ski racing (and it sounds like he is!), I'd really like to introduce him to Paralympics. If it's too soon after his accident to even be contemplating it, I completely understand, but if it's not then I really encourage it! A good friend of mine has been on the US Paralympic ski team for about ten years so I can definitely get you or your son in contact with her if you'd like! Their website provides lots of good contact links, too: http://usparalympics.org/sports/winter- ... ine-skiing

Some background on myself: I'm a swimmer and have been competing at paralympic meets for almost six years now, with four of those at the international level. My accident happened when I was 8 so I wasn't a teenager, but I didn't discover the Paralympics until I was 15. It's made all the difference for me. I'm fit and I'm healthy and training has done wonders for my bad arm. Just by being active, my bad arm has regained some function, even though my accident was 12 years ago. (It's not because I used it either - it's almost completely flail, yet just by being active I've regained movement) I've also become a far more confident person because of it, despite a dozen scars and an atrophied arm, and I compete against those "equal" to me so it doesn't feel like an unfair race. I can't say enough good things about the Paralympics. I'll stop being a spokesperson for Paralympics now haha but if your son ever wants to chat, I'm available! I'm only twenty (almost 21) so I'm not that far out of teenagehood myself. Unfortunately, I remember that time all too well haha

The Paralympics are held every four years under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee. They are the Olympic games for elite athletes who have a physical disability. If a skier wants to compete at the world class level it is a long hard road ( about ten years or 10 thousand hours of training). I started skiing ( cross country skiing) in 1975. I was not selected to be a member of the US Disabled Ski Team until I had won two national titles, in 1983. The following year I was selected to be a member of the 1984 Paralympic team.

To be a Paralympic ski racer the athlete must first be selected to be a US Disabled Ski Team member.
The U S has one of the best, if not the best, ski teams in the world. any one who aspires to be on the team must truly LOVE ski racing. If a young person has the desire and the ability; I would recommend that they contact Disabled Sports.com for information about ski racing in that person's area. There are ski racing programs all across America. These programs are designed to feed athletes into the elite racing program from which ski team members are selected.

Bill

I am 17 now, was injured end of last year. I am on my schools water polo and swimming teams. IT would be nice to talk to someone my age in the same position. So let him know he can talk to me

I was hit by a car when I was 20. At that time I was a top athlete in my college. I know what it is like to try to be normal again. For me the hardest part was having to accept that there would be no change in my condition. Talk therapy is the best thing you can do for yourself right now. See a therapist as soon as you can because recovery is a long process. I recommend this; after thinking for a long time that I could deal with the disability on my own.

Bill

It sure is interesting about sports you still do Great, Its funny after NEMO came out I was called Nemo after that. Maybe If you have a sport that takes you in the water and your fine with water. Try scuba diving, you can get certified in your late teens to. Maybe you have a friend that may like diving to. Its always good to dive with a buddy. You dont need to swim underwater so using your arms is very minumine. You can contact a dive shop in your area that may be a DIVE HEART member. Dive Heart has a web sight,I know for 30 years. Scuba diving is a passion and have dove over 600 dives over time , If you like the water, then try snorkeling or scuba diving they really, need to use minimal effort of the arm. I am sure someone will be called Nemo To??
Best TRys,
Tom

2011 U.S. Adaptive Alpine Skiing National Championships
Some of the top alpine ski racers in the country will vie for the title of national champion at the 2011 U.S. Adaptive Alpine Skiing National Championships, March 21-28, at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska. Check USParalympics.org for updates, news and results once competition begins.