So, it's been while! Life has been challenging and I honestly haven't had any motivation to blog. But ... it's time! To recap, my motorcycle accident was on 1 March, 2015 and my nerve transfer surgery was on 4 July 2015. 4 of the 5 brachial plexus nerve roots were avulsed (ripped from spinal cord). Here's a bit of an update as to where I'm at: Pain Still horrendous all the time. I'm still taking 75mg of Lyrica in the morning and 150mg at night. My hand gives me the worst pain

I really hate asking. But I really want to make Brachial Plexus Australia an official organisation and time is running out Once registered, we can start making ourselves known. Australia needs to know about Erb's Palsy and Brachial Plexus Injuries. Then once we start raising awareness, we can get Government recognition and start applying for grants, and start helping those in need, get more research and medical information, register an Australian Brachial Plexus Awareness Da

So I've just discovered that an article about me was published in the local Gladesville newspaper (where I used to live) - The Northern District Times! I got an email from a guy asking me if I'd like to do a radio interview. When I looked up the radio station I saw that it is located in Sydney. I asked him how he had heard of me and brachial plexus injuries and he said that he had seen an article about me in his local paper ........ so I did some Google searching and stumbled

So I've been too focused on my "real" life to allow much time for my brachial plexus life ... if that makes any sense! To catch you up on me - I've been working 2 days a week in an admin role for the Australian Association of Social Workers, and also trying to get my family life organised. I've also been working on my 2 Diploma courses, though not as much as I should be! I've found that after working my 2 days, I'm exhausted! I've also discovered that I think my brain was aff

The nerve pain that I experience from my brachial plexus injury, is very unpleasant. Brachial plexus injury pain is very different for everyone. Many of you will know exactly what I'm talking about. Some of you might have it worse than I do. Many of you reading this may get a better understanding of the pain your loved one or patient deals with all the time. People with birth brachial plexus injuries may not feel as much, if any, pain like this. Please Mummies, don't panic ab

On behalf of Brachial Plexus Australia, I would like to thank Marleen Boom for her generous donation, which helped cover the costs of our legal public notice advising our intention to incorporate the association. Without Marleen, I'd still be only thinking about the future of this organisation! <3 Thank you Marleen! <3 If you would like to donate to help with the costs of registering the association and registering with ASIC, please click here - DONATE Feel free to share the

So today marks my blog's 1st birthday! 1 year ago today, I decided to share my story, search for people like me, and give Australia a presence in the brachial plexus community, What a journey the last 12 months has been! I want to thank you all for all the love and support you have shown, the strength you've given me and the community you have welcomed me into. We all need to be there for each other. Brachial plexus injuries are horrible things to live through, whether you we

‪I’ve finally uploaded some “How To” videos. You can view them on- You Tube, https://www.youtube.com/playlist…- My website, www.brachialgirl.com My Facebook page - www.facebook.com/brachialgirl via the You Tube tab near my profile picture. It’s just a start. There are 12 videos so far. I’ll be adding shoelaces and buttons/flys soon. Let me know if you have any requests and I will see if I can help.💟💟💟 FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS POST. YOU NEVER KNOW WHO MIGHT GET HELP FROM SEE

‪So … I wanted to explain something … to look at my website or Facebook page, it may seem as though I am vain, what with all the photos of myself … But there is a reason behind it. When you have had a traumatic accident, and lose the use of your dominant arm like I did, you lose not only the use of your arm … but your self confidence, your sense of self, your dignity, your independence, your sense of future, your sense of being useful and worthwhile, and many other things. Ha

‪So today I filmed myself doing lots of things with one hand. I am spending the evening editing and then I’ll post on my you tube channel, then I’ll share on my website and Facebook as well. 😎❤💪🎥🎬🌟💡 ❤ Brachial Girl #brachialplexus #brachialplexusinjury #brachialplexusinjuryaustralia #erbspalsy #nerveinjury #nerves #muscles #birthinjury #nervetransfer #disability #brachialgirl #blog #paralysis #howto #howtovideo #onehand #onearm #onehandhelp #onehanded #onehandedhowto #h

So today I decided to get an Uber to see my Occupational Therapist, Jaslyn Cullen, and I got talking with the lovely driver. He talked about his wife’s recent stay in hospital and then I told him about my accident and injury. When I mentioned it can also happen during birth he said that’s what happened to his wife when she was born. She could use her hand and arm but can’t teach up high. What a coincidence! I’m so glad I had some business cards made as I was able to give him

RAISING AWARENESS IN AUSTRALIA FOR BRACHIAL PLEXUS AND ERB’S PALSY INJURIES Did you know … The reported incidence of birth related brachial plexus injuries can vary from 2-5 of 1000 births. Out of these around 80% or more resolve themselves. The rest will go through multi-discipline treatments, including OT and PT therapies, nerve and tendon transfer surgeries and other treatments. Besides the birth injury, other causes of brachial plexus injuries include car, motorcycle, spo

I’m still working on the BPI Australia website and community. So much work involved. I’ve got the Australian surgeons on board now. Just waiting on all the therapists. Hopefully I’ll be able to launch the base of the site soon. Here’s a snap of the site. #brachialplexus #brachialplexusinjury #brachialplexusinjuryaustralia #erbspalsy #nerveinjury #nerves #muscles #nervetransfer #disability #brachialgirl #blog #surgery #paralysis #facebookgroup #C5 #ot #occupationaltherapy #rei

I've set up a Facebook page for Brachial plexus Australia. Providing information to people in Australia who suffer from BPI - Brachial Plexus Injury Brachial Plexus Australia on Facebook #brachialplexus #brachialplexusinjury #brachialplexusinjuryaustralia #erbspalsy #nerveinjury #nerves #muscles #birthinjury #nervetransfer #disability #motorcycleaccident #traumaticinjury #brachialgirl #blog #medicine #surgery #nervesurgery #nervegraft #muscletransfer #paralysis #diagnosis #fa

I've started a new Facebook group connecting people in Australia who suffer from brachial plexus injury - here's a link. Brachial Plexus Australia - Facebook Group #brachialplexus #brachialplexusinjury #brachialplexusinjuryaustralia #erbspalsy #nerveinjury #nerves #muscles #birthinjury #nervetransfer #disability #motorcycleaccident #traumaticinjury #brachialgirl #blog #medicine #surgery #nervesurgery #nervegraft #muscletransfer #paralysis #hospital #avulsionnerveroot #C5 #C6

I was unable to lift up my arm at the shoulder or elbow. Could not bend my wrist outwards and could only just wiggle my fingers. After a couple of weeks I had a check up at my local hospital to have the 51 staples removed from my arm, and during the check up I mentioned to the Doctor that the top of my shoulder was numb and tingly in addition to all the numbness in my arm and hand. He was concerned and sent me for an MRI. I spent the next few days worrying. I was really strug