brachialgirl-blog

[brachialgirl-blog]

❤ NEW BLOG POST ❤. Jobs & Careers - But I have a Brachial Plexus Injury! - Working with a brachial plexus injury. 💪 www.brachialgirl.com 💪 👀 www.facebook.com/brachialgirl 👀 ____________ #brachialplexus #employment #disability #brachialplexusinjury #erbspalsy #nerveinjury #nerves #muscles #birthinjury #brachialgirl #blog #job #career #jobchange #career #change #onehandedjob #workwithonehand #work #workingwithadisability #disabilityemployment #education #training #newjob #livingwithadisability #pain #medication #careerchoice #diversity #returntowork #study

[brachialgirl-blog]

@Regrann from @thegoodquote - Something I keep telling myself so I don't lose my momentum ... ❤ Brachial Girl! www.brachialgirl.com. __________ #hope #tryhard #keepgoing #brachialgirl #brachialplexusinjury #brachialplexus #erbspalsy #australia #blog #writing #raiseawareness #ladyboss #notforprofit #disability #nerves #muscles #study #youarenotalone

[brachialgirl-blog]

#brachialgirl #southerngazette #brachialplexus I❤'m in the newspaper again! Perth's Southern Gazette, hard copy version out 3 May (they used the photo I didn't like, I think they will change it to the correct one at some point hehe) ❤ STORY HERE - http://www.communitynews.com.au/southern-gazette/news/Rebecca-Cochran-coping-with-brachial-plexus-injury-on-track-to-start-support-organisation/7686379 ____ #brachialplexusinjury #erbspalsy #perth #australia #straya #awareness #media #newspaper #article #brachialplexusaustralia #inthenews #nerveinjury #birthinjury #raisingawareness #donate #spreadtheword #achieve #goals #bigdreams #nervetransfer #notforprofit #occupationaltherapy #disability #livingwithadisability #onearm #onehand #paralysed @alistairdonohoe @ausparalympics @millytapper @thehughjackman @united49 @olivia_stunts @rovemcmanus

[brachialgirl-blog]

Inspiration is Everywhere

I snapped this photo a few days ago when I was in the city of Perth. I love it!

"Believe and act as if it were impossible to fail"   ~ Charles Kettering

❤ Brachial Girl www.brachialgirl.com

[brachialgirl-blog]

Decisions

Since I was 15, I’ve always had to work to support myself. Unforeseen circumstances forced me into the workforce full time. Since then, there’s always been a reason to work. In any job. The longer you do that, the more you become stuck. Especially once you have a child. I was married at 21 and a mother at 22. You work in any job you can because you have bills to pay.

There’s not even a thought in your mind resembling ... “what would I like to do for a living?” That’s a real luxury.

Now, for the first time in my life, I figure I’m currently unemployed, in a VERY bad job market (Perth has crashed due to the slashed price of iron ore), and I’m slightly undesirable, what with my dangling arm, AND my financial situation is already as bad as it can get, so I thought, maybe now is the time to re-train and do something I actually want to do ..... so, what would I like to do for a living?

EVERYTHING is my answer.

Well, that is the truth. I want to be an OT, an anthropologist, an archaeologist, a computer game designer, a graphic designer, a historian, a world peace ambassador, a homeless shelter owner, a teacher for autistic children, a speech pathologist .. oh and a glam metal rock star ... 

Hmmm, back to reality .... Because of my little web design and marketing business, I decided earlier this year to do a Diploma of Marketing. I enrolled in an online course through an Australian University, but I haven’t started it. Not even a little bit. It’s becoming apparent to me that perhaps that’s not what I really want, another course teaching me about finance and corporate budgets I just like the creative aspect of it ....

Yesterday a new idea occurred to me. With all the work I’m doing setting up Brachial Plexus Australia, and all the support I’m giving to people from all over the world every day, I had a look at Occupational Therapy, Physio, Psychology, and then, Counselling and Life Coaching. Time is an issue, so that rules out most of them. So, I think I’m going to cancel the Diploma of Marketing, start a Diploma of Counselling, and a Diploma of Life Coaching, and then work towards a Bachelor of Counselling(Coaching). The Bachelor is 3 years full time, whereas the Diploma is (at my own pace) 12 months. So I figure I’ll do the Diploma, which is enough to work as a Counselor, but not run my own practice, and then I’ll get recognised prior learning and get a year taken off the Bachelor. So I’ll be able to work while I study the Diploma, work as a Counselor while I study the Bachelor, and then set up my own practice ..... and I’ll only be 43! But the best part, is that I’ll be qualified to give help to everyone having a hard time living with brachial plexus injuries! And any public talks I give on the subject, will have at least a little weight behind them, and maybe even be respected and listened to by other professionals.

I’ve done so many things in the last 26 years. But all of them office or business related. While I am proficient with rules, organisation and black and white corporate attitudes, that’s not who I am. I’m creative, imaginative, hyper, excitable, kind of loud, talkative, adventurous and on and on. I want a career that allows my personality to be involved. Is that time now? Do I take a deep breathe and sign up. And then spend the next 20 years helping other people through difficult situations or traumatic occurrences and coach them into succeeding and finding happiness and satisfaction?

I have some decisions to make....

[brachialgirl-blog]

Bubble Bath!

After reading so many amazing responses to my blog post yesterday, I am truly humbled.

I feel honoured to have touched the hearts of so many strong and courageous people, living with brachial plexus injuries.

I find myself tonight feeling quite exhausted after a few intense days in a row of researching for people, talking to people, filming and editing videos and reading loads of medical science articles (plus cooking, cleaning , moving furniture, gardening etc).

It’s time for a rest. To reflect on what Ive learned and the people I’ve spoken with. To be still and digest everything.

Bubble bath here I come! ❤ Brachial Girl

[brachialgirl-blog]

How To Videos for people with one hand

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 (it might take a few hours for my site to recognise them all) - and here 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 SEEING IT

[brachialgirl-blog]

Selfie Attack ... Why?

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.

Having to ask your husband or daughter to shave your arm pits or to wash your hair, or to to help you wash yourself, or or to dress you in your clothes, including underwear .. and so on .... is HARD. But you have to. And through that you really lose 2 very important things, your DIGNITY and your SELF ESTEEM.

In the first few weeks after my accident, I couldn't shower, but couldn't wash myself properly either, as I was so sore and couldn't take my arm out of the wrappings or sling. My hair was so greasy and still had twigs and leaves in it from the motorcycle accident. My husband did wash it for me in the bathroom basin once. I ended up with a very sore back and it was a rushed job.... but damn it looked and felt better. I wore Bali style strapless dresses that I could step into. Every day. For months. I didn't wear a bra for a month or 2. Even went to work bra-less as I was working 6 weeks after the accident.

Once the wrappings were off, the staples out and the medication reduced, I started becoming more aware of myself and the state of me. Enter the husband ... He was amazing. <3 He washed me in the shower, shaved me, fed me, dressed me, moved me and fussed over me. I was MORTIFIED at first! Can you imagine standing there, naked, shivering, feeling deformed, and having your husband towel dry you. Everywhere ... Go on, imagine it. Imagine every little thing he would see...

<3 Let me tell you ... I've always had very low self esteem. The sort where I would be invited somewhere, get dressed to go, then cancel because I thought they didn't really like me, would hate my face or clothes or body shape, would not be interested in what I had to say .. sounds dumb. But it literally froze me at the door more often than not. When I was forced into social or work situations, I ended up overcompensating, and coming across as loud, inappropriate and annoying hehehe. <3

But after being in hospital, having my jeans cut off and being rolled over showing the whole room my g-stringed butt, and being showered by a total stranger in the hospital and then having my husband and daughter take care of very personal things for me, oh and having work colleagues and friends go to the toilet with me to undo or do up my fly, I guess I started to lose the dignity, but in a manner which forced me to say ... WHO CARES. BAD LUCK FOR ME.

I had not worn makeup for weeks and hadn't shaved my legs, hadn't worn any "normal" clothes. So many little things that to you, define who you are and make you feel like yourself.

My husband shaved my legs and cut my finger and toenails. <3 A stool in the shower helped me be a bit more independent there. For arm pit shaving, I would call out to whoever was free, my husband or daughter. Makeup, well, I started mixing foundation with moisturiser (you could buy tinted moisturiser hehe) and I applied it like it was moisturiser. Powder was tricky, blush tricky, eyeliner and mascara ... a lot more tricky. Remember, I was using my left hand. I'm right-handed. I practiced. I applied a lot less than I used to. I had to fix a lot of mistekes with a cotton bud. But eventually I got it to something I was OK with.

Hair .... well I could brush it. That's it. My family were helping by putting it up in a butterfly clip on top of my head. It looked a mess for ... months.

I'll never forget the first time feeling like I resembled something of my former self. I was still in a Bali dress and thongs (flip-flops), but I had some eyeliner on hehehe.

I also practiced, with help of course, to put on normal clothes, like a singlet or t-shirt. It was awkward and challenging, but we managed to get my mangled arm into things.

Anyway, I digress  ........

Going through all these things makes you feel like a stranger. When you can finally feel like your old self, it is AMAZING! <3

Because I'm not working, I spend most of my time in my PJs or tracksuit pants, no makeup and greasy messy hair (I hate washing my hair now and put it off) so when I am going somewhere, have makeup on and hair styled (kind of) I want proof! I take photos of myself. I want to show everyone how "normal" I look. And look at the photos when I'm having a bad day to remind myself I am fine. I don't consciously think those things when I'm taking the photos though.

So anyway - please excuse my selfies.

xxx Brachial Girl <3

[brachialgirl-blog]

How To Videos COMING SOON

‪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. 😎❤💪🎥🎬🌟💡

‪#‎brachialgirl‬ ‪#‎erbspalsy‬ ‪#‎youtube‬ ‪#‎howtovideo‬ ‪#‎onehandedponytail‬‪#‎onehandedmakeup‬ ‪#‎onehandedbra‬ ‪#‎onehandedtshirt‬‪#‎onehandedshaving‬ ‪#‎bra‬ ‪#‎makeup‬ ‪#‎hairstyle‬ ‪#‎ponytail‬ ‪#‎mascara‬ ‪#‎howto‬‪#‎onearm‬ ‪#‎disability‬ ‪#‎tipsandtricks‬ ‪#‎updo‬ ‪#‎foodprep‬ ‪#‎onehandcooking‬‪#‎youtubeclips‬ ‪#‎youarenotalone‬ ‪#‎helpvideos‬ ‪#‎brachialplexusinjury‬‪#‎amputee‬ #onehandhelp #helpinghand #nerves #muscles #nerveinjury #onfilm #videoediting #helpfulhints #cooking

[brachialgirl-blog]

Isn't it crazy how much filters change the way you look! I think #rise makes everyone look nice! The photo on the bottom right side has no filter. ❤ #brachialgirl #perthlife #erbspalsy #brachialplexus #brachialplexusaustralia #onearm #paralysed #disability #livingwithadisability #birthinjury #motorcycleaccident #nerves #muscles #brokenbones #nerveinjury #selfie #instaselfie #vanity #filters #nofilter #perthisok #photos #instagram #shutterbug #tumblr #blog #goodcause #noblecause #awareness

[brachialgirl-blog]

So small miracle today ... besides the HUGE improvement in my deltoids ... my supraspinatus has decided it wants to work now. 

It's intermittent but Jaslyn, my OT, managed to get it on film! 

The snow angel movement looks a bit bizarre, amd before filming I managed to do it with a much more normal look to it, but ..... here we are!

[brachialgirl-blog]

Trauma Survivors

Trauma survivors often have symptoms instead of memories. Those with traumatic brachial plexus injuries are no exception.

Depression Irratibility Loss of interest Disassociation Numbing Decreased concentration Insomnia Emotional overwhelm Hopelessness Loss of a sense of the future Shame and worthlessness Little or no memories Nightmares Flashback Hypervigilance Mistrust Anxiety Panic attacks Chronic pain Headaches Substance abuse Eating disorders Feeling unreal or out of body Self-destructive behaviour Loss of sense of ‘who I am’

And there are more. I can identify intimately with most of them.

Be gentle with us. Try to understand. Try to help build us up again. Help us regain confidence and a sense of being worthwhile and useful. Help us build a future.

We need you ❤😢

This image was copied from - http://rachelintheoc.com/…/trauma-survivors-have-symptoms-…/

And the image was adapted from Janina Fisher -http://www.janinafisher.com/index.php

[brachialgirl-blog]

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 one. I love days like this. When I can share and understand someone's experience and tell them about what I'm trying to achieve in Australia for people with brachial plexus injuries. 💜💖💜💖

[brachialgirl-blog]

Support Brachial Plexus Australia

Hello !

As you know, I had a motorcycle accident in March 2015, and I sustained a brachial plexus injury (erb’s palsy), which means that the nerves that control my dominant arm were severed from the spinal cord, and I cannot use my arm anymore.  I have had several surgeries and I have now gained some limited arm movement.

Brachial Plexus injuries affect many people in Australia, in fact there are more birth injury occurrences of Brachial Plexus/Erb's Palsy injuries than there are Down Syndrome or Muscular Dystrophy occurrences. When you add all the traumatic occurrences, from motorbike, car, sporting and other accidents, it is very surprising and upsetting to think Australian's in general are unaware of this condition/disability.

There is no support/education organisation in Australia for these injuries, and so I have launched the setup of one myself. I have the support of every brachial plexus specialist surgeon and therapist in Australia, and I am need of assistance with raising both awareness and funding.

On behalf of all Australian adults and children suffering from this terrible disability, I would be most grateful if you could please help in any way you can, whether it be through sharing this information at work and on social media, or through donating or organising workplace giving.

Please see our details and newsletter below.

<3 Brachial Plexus

Can't See This Message? View in a browser

Brachial Plexus Australia  aims to be a national organisation providing support, education, information and community to all Australians who are suffering from Brachial Plexus Injuries (Erb's Palsy) as well as to help educate medical/therapy staff about the injury.

www.brachialplexusaustralia.com.au

We are initially raising funds to assist with the setup of the organisation, as such, we are asking surgeons and therapists who understand the injury, the people and the need for this organisation, to donate to help cover the costs of:

·        setting up an incorporated association ·        registering as a 'registrable body' through ASIC ·        registering as an Australian charity with the ACNC ·        printing posters for hospitals and specialist/therapy offices ·        t-shirt printing ·        calendar printing (etc) ·        other ad-hoc administration costs

We then plan to raise further funds by selling promotional materials or through investors, to assist those in desperate need, to fund further national travel for presentations and events, to aid in research, with innovation and quality of life.

In the long term, we want to establish a Brachial Plexus Awareness Week, fund state get togethers and national think tanks, offer educational sessions to emergency room staff and birthing staff to raise awareness and to reduce risks of occurrence and fund promotional and educational material for all medical and therapists across the country.

The first $1000 is needed ASAP to cover the organisation's registration costs and some initial promotional material.

At this point we will be forming an incorporated association in Western Australia, (my location) and then registering as a national 'registrable body' (meaning we can operate nationally) and registering as an Australian charitable organisation. This is the easiest, quickest and cheapest way for us to be able to get the legal entity status we need to be able to meet our core purposes and start making a difference.

If you can, please donate, and share this with all your colleagues and associates etc so that we can get started. We'll then be able to support ourselves as an organisation through selling merchandise, public donation drives, events, raffles, grants and more.

As we all know, prevention (obstetric), education, fast/accurate diagnosis and referral, correct treatment and support are of the utmost importance when it comes to brachial plexus injuries. Brachial Plexus Australia aims to lead the way and make a difference.

We just need these startup costs to get underway.

Thank you for your generosity!

All monies received will be accounted for and administered through the entity's electronic accounting system and will only be used for the direct costs of establishing this legal entity and producing some initial merchandise and posters/flyers which will aid in raising awareness and generating subsequent funding through the sale of that merchandise.

[brachialgirl-blog]

Nominate us for Funding!

LiveTribe Noble Causes is looking for submissions! Do you know a local community organisation which helps out others that could do with some cash? Nominate them now and they could become our next ‪#‎NobleCauses‬ project! <3> Like maybe BRACHIAL PLEXUS AUSTRALIA!!!! <3 Remember, this is a community-powered process and we cannot do it without you! CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE YOUR CAUSE ... Brachial Plexus Australia - www.brachialplexusaustralia.com.au (you'll have to sign up to be able to nominate)

Go here to nominate https://www.livetribe.com/…/tribe…/members-area/noble_causes

[brachialgirl-blog]

Stop Overthinking!

Lifes hard enough! STOP OVER THINKING EVERYTHING! That just makes it all worse! Accept. Get on with it! Focus on what you have. Live your life or make changes. It's more simple than you think!  www.brachialgirl.com <3

[brachialgirl-blog]

Flex Bar Fun

My new toy from Jaslyn Cullen my OT ... flex bar ... or wobble stick lol. 

I have to hold it in my bad hand and pump it up and down in a really tight movement to make the ends wobble. Quite tricky but I can do it. Uses all the muscles in my arm. 

Doesn't take long doing it to wear my muscles out and feel the burn. Awesome workout. 

www.brachialgirl.com <3