Dan Aldrich has been of great assistance to me. He not only provided the running sling, but also has assisted with swimming technique. I received one of his early emails about 7 weeks after the accident. The reality of my situation was causing me to be feeling pretty low.
Dan Aldrich
I read the email as my wife and I were driving to our holiday house. The email was memorable for lifting not only my spirits but also my wife’s. We were moved as I read it aloud to her. I hope Dan doesn’t mind me sharing it with you in this blog and I hope it gives you the hope it gave me.
Hi Craig,
Make sure the Dr’s specialize in Brachial Plexus, extremely critical because time is very important right now, sooner the better.
Having a paralyzed arm shouldn’t stop you from being athletic. I have a complete paralysis of my arm and all I do for my sports is get the arm out of the way. There are many people who have partial paralysis and there are sports they can get some use from their arm in sports, just depends on the sport and type of movement.
I do triathlons and you should have no problem biking and swimming again. Yes, the sling will help you when you run and any other sport you need to secure your arm down. I not only do tri’s but basically anything else I have wanted to do since I got hurt 25 years ago and can do most of them at a very high level.
As you learn the level of paralysis you have, I can help you with setting up your bike, either like I do it or like a few others who have more mobility than I do. I can also help you with the swimming, I have an older very rough video of a bunch of use learning to swim a “new” way with one arm and hopefully can get a good video of this new swimming style. And to let you know, there are three US Paratriathlon National Champions in the video I have, so the top guys and gals in the “winger” category are swimming this new way.
What I am trying to say, you ARE still an athlete and this injury hasn’t changed that, they are just a few different ways you will execute your sports and either I can help or I can direct you to someone who can.
By the way, I am going to be competing in the One Armed World Golf Championship this July, should be fun.
Dan
Dan is obviously on very determined and talented athlete. I am sure he has helped many people and I thank him for giving me the inspiration to get out there and have a go.
Craig Glass' Brachial Plexus Journey 