United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Yes Carolyn and I won't leave home without it !!! PROMISE. My doctor has offered me one for five years and I always say I am too young for that, but he keeps saying that it is a must !!! Now with this shoulder pain, I have to get it. My kids will all be grown up soon and I son't have the help I have now.....so off to get the "CARD" GAYLE

When we fly from Scotland to Florida, i always use wheeled suitcases for the hold....but hand luggage goes in small backpacks. Simply because a backpack can be squashed down to fit under the seat in front....a small wheeled case HAS to go in the overhead...something i learned rather quickly LOL

I always request seats on the right side of the plane, so if im in an aisle seat, my arm cant be knocked by people walking past! I had a bad experience on a bus the other day, where i had no choice but to have my bad arm at the aisle....a woman with a big hard bag...possibly a shoe box?...rammed it right into my shoulder!! I actually screamed coz it hurt sooooo bad!! The woman KNEW she had hurt me, looked at me like she might apologise, but walked on none the less! To be fair to her though, it wasnt really her fault, just one of those things.

Getting the suitcases from the carousel is another big problem for me....but i have learned to let the rabble get their cases first, then when theres plenty of room i go in for the kill!! It might mean running alongside the conveyor holding onto the case for dear life til i can pull it off the belt....but hey ho!! My pride gets in the way of asking for assistance....but i would advise anyone else to ask LOLOLOL

I wrote this last year in reply to Amy in another discussion. I'm not even sure I sent it? I had in my documents folder and I feel it may be relevant here?
Wow! Where to start? I'm 53, depressed as hell all the time though try seriously not to show or express that. Almost 2 1/2 years ago I was injured in a ridiculously non-glorious manner. I prefer not to share with anyone who does not know what this injury is all about. I'm tired of trying. I appreciate all those who are parents, family or friends of... I really do. But to live with this on the most personal level is incredible. Honestly I do not know where I get the strength sometimes. Actually all the time. Sure I struggle with the divinity but read about God and the Amputee. I am glad to see someone actually mentioned PTSD. That certainly needs to go into the file.
Another thing, don't touch me please? Don't hold my shoulder and tell me how sorry you are that my arm hurts. I hurt from my shoulder to my finger tips. I understand that some people want to be personal and by that feel the need to touch but don't. Please? Yes I consider myself 'special needs' also. I was not the least bit shy about making arrangements for special access through security and pre-boarding my recent flights to and from Florida. Yes I requested and was granted all of this 'special handling' if you will and I was rolled through security and onto the planes. All I had to show for myself was my scrawny crooked arm in my sling and my genuine look of fear.
If you can get anything useful out of this then I've done what I set out to do.
Scott


Message was edited by: swhite1

Yes, Yes, it is standard now for me to order wheel chairs when I fly and alsoI request early Boarding because I walk s-l-o-w so I won't trip. I've taken 2 prat falls getting on planes right in front of those "welcoming Flight crew". I LOVE being wheeled right thru security lines! Why don't they use those electric trams??

Hugs,
Carolyn J
LOBPI/70

I just say I have a paralyzed arm and that it takes me extra time to maneuver --and that I need help getting my laptop case in the overhead bin. I travel alot on different airlines and haven't had a problem. All they ask is that I don't sit in the exit rows.Pat