Hi, my name is Kate and I have Erb's Palsy in my right arm from a difficult/traumatic birth. I went through many years of physical and occupational therapy, and I have tried my best to not let Erb's Palsy stop me from doing the things I want to do. My parents have always been very supportive and advocated for me to receive services all through my childhood, for which I am forever grateful.
Yoga with Erb's Palsy
I started doing yoga a few years ago and I absolutely love it. Although at first I thought I would never be able to do many of the poses because of my arm, but I was totally wrong! There are often modifications for poses, or I opt for a different one that I can do. Yoga is not about being the most bendy or being able to do fancy inversions. It has helped me to be able to accept my body as it is. I want to become a certified yoga instructor to share the benefits of yoga with others, focusing on adapting/modifying poses to make classes more accessible for everyone.
Supporting those living with Erb's Palsy
I have also completed several Spartan Races in 2016, earning my first Trifecta. The sense of accomplishment for me finishing those races was incredible. I wasn't sure if I could do something as challenging as an obstacle course race, but it looked exciting, so I went for it. Those races were the most physically challenging things I have ever done in my life, but I am so glad I did them. I hope by sharing my adventures that it will inspire others to try things that maybe they thought they wouldn't be able to do.
I created the Facebook page Living with Erb's Palsy in 2013 in hopes of connecting with other adults with OPBI, as I have never met anyone else with it. Since then, I have chatted with many wonderful people and the community has continued to grow.
