1Designating the week of October 19 through 25, 2014, as
2"Brachial Plexus Injury Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Brachial plexus injuries affect the network of
4nerves that control the muscles of the shoulder, arm, elbow,
5wrist, hand and finger and can result in full to partial
6paralysis of one or both arms; and

7WHEREAS, Brachial plexus injuries occur often during the
8birthing process; and

9WHEREAS, Approximately 2 to 5 per 1,000 newborns are affected
10by brachial plexus injuries; and

11WHEREAS, Careful monitoring of pregnant women exhibiting any
12or all of the documented risk factors associated with shoulder
13dystocia and brachial plexus birth injuries and the proper use
14of recommended maneuvers during delivery of a shoulder dystocia
15baby can help prevent the occurrence of these injuries; and

16WHEREAS, Brachial plexus injuries can occur as a result of
17trauma such as automobile, motorcycle or boating accidents,

1sports injuries ("burners" or "stingers"), animal bites, gunshot
2or puncture wounds, specific medical treatments, procedures and
3surgeries or due to viral diseases; and

4WHEREAS, Persons affected by brachial plexus injuries
5experience pain in muscles, joints and ligaments, weakness,
6atrophy and numbness of the affected limb and sometimes
7respiratory difficulties; and

8WHEREAS, Persons affected by brachial plexus injuries can
9experience secondary issues, which include low tone (hypotonia),
10developmental delays, speech dysfunction, chronic ear infections
11on the affected side, possible hearing loss, nail bed
12dysfunction, weakness of the foot on the affected side, postural
13issues that could lead to scoliosis and other secondary health
14issues; and

15WHEREAS, Brachial plexus injuries present unique challenges
16for all those affected, including challenges related to having
17the full use of only one arm, as well as the challenges
18associated with having a disability of any kind in our
19contemporary society; and

20WHEREAS, Those affected by brachial plexus injuries often
21experience delayed diagnosis and lack of access to information
22related to current and ground-breaking treatment options,
23including surgical procedures available that could enhance
24function of the affected limb; and

25WHEREAS, Early intervention by specialized physicians and
26experienced occupational and physical therapists is essential
27for optimum functional improvement related to a brachial plexus
28injury; and

29WHEREAS, The brachial plexus injury community and the United
30Brachial Plexus Network (UBPN) Awareness Committee are promoting

1Brachial Plexus Awareness Week to inform and educate the general
2public, the medical community, individuals with brachial plexus
3injuries and their families; and

4WHEREAS, Increased understanding and awareness of brachial
5plexus injuries will ensure hope of a better future for people
6affected, as well as possibly preventing injury from occurring;
7therefore be it

8RESOLVED, That the Senate designate October 19 through 25,
92014, as "Brachial Plexus Injury Awareness Week" in
10Pennsylvania.