What is BPI?

Brachial Plexus Injury (BPI) is a nerve injury, normally caused at birth by constrictions during natural delivery called shoulder dystocia. The brachial plexus is simply a group of nerves that work together to move your shoulder, arm and hand, and can affect your neck as well. This may occur when the infant’s arm or neck is pulled out forcefully in an attempt to get him or her out as quickly as possible.   Usually, the nerves are separated from the spinal cord (avulsion) or overstretched (neuropraxia). 

In my case, this was exactly what happened.  Forceps were illegally used twice in order to pull me out; at the time, in 1989, they could only legally be used once.  In turn, the nerves C5-8 and T1 were overstretched and the only part of my upper left extremity that I could move was my thumb.  I was quickly diagnosed with Erb’s Palsy¹ and Klumpke’s Palsy², which can be generally referred to as BPI, due to neuropraxia. 

Thankfully, my parents were very proactive and, at nine days old, I began physical therapy.  It was important that my arm was moved many times throughout the day in order to “reteach” the nerves.  Within the first two years of a baby’s life, it’s possible that the nerves can fully recover.  However, for most of us, this is a life-long process of improving and maintaining function.

*This injury can be caused by other situations as well.  Car accidents can be one cause, for example.

To learn more in-depth, scientific information about BPI, please see these links:

• Orthobullets
• Hopkins Medicine

¹Erb’s Palsy: upper part of the brachial plexus has been affected (nerves C5-C6)

²Klumpke’s Palsy: lower part of the brachial plexus has been affected (nerves C8-T1)

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

I’ve been procrastinating starting this blog for a while. Mainly because I had no idea where to begin. I think I finally got it.

A few weeks ago, I was working out at Crossfit Singular Box; the gym I go to in Madrid, Spain.  While everyone was stretching after the workout, one of the coaches, Adrian, asked me if I was going to do a competition hosted at the box, which would simulate the Crossfit Games.  I initially thought, Am I good enough?  and responded with a shy, “I don’t think so.”  Looking back on it, what a terrible thing to think. 

I couldn’t stick with my original answer, it just seemed too cowardly.  When he asked me, “Why not?” I was forced to ask myself: Why shouldn’t I do the competition?  For fear of not being the best?  That’s just not a good enough excuse. So, of course, I agreed to do it. 

Flash forward two weeks to today.  We’ve just had our second, and final, qualifying WOD (Workout of the Day).  Only a certain number of members will be accepted into the competition. 

I would be lying if I said the workouts have been easy. They’ve been incredibly hard.  I haven’t yet mentioned that I have BPI (Brachial Plexus Injury), which makes some of the exercises difficult.  I virtually do one-armed burpees and a majority of the time my right arm overcompensates for my left.  I struggle with a majority of the WODs.  However, everyone has something. Everyone has a limiting factor. It can be mental, physical, emotional.  But to allow that limit to take control of your life can be so detrimental. 

A wise woman named Cynthia Chiam once said, “When you step out of your comfort zone, you are stepping into your greatness.” I want to have the courage to do exactly this, and my hope is that you will try to do the same.