Re: Re: Dana/Update with specialist.

[Guest guest]

Dana,

Well, I'm sorry to hear that you are still having concerns and doubts even

after your appointment. Quite frankly if you still feel strongly about

wearing the helmet I think you could/should insist on getting a prescription

for the band. There are probably close to 1,000 people here alone that would

say that band therapy does work wonders on moderate to mild head shapes!

You have some valid concerns and it is rare that mommy instinct is wrong. If

your instinct tells you that needs the band, then you should insist on

getting the RX. Let us know what you decide to do!

Marci (mom to )

Oklahoma

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 03/06/2002 9:33:12 PM Central Standard Time,

dsmith001@... writes:

<< On top of it, I have 2 sets of grandparents

who have no idea what plagio is and continue to make little comments

suggesting that it is our fault 's head is flat. >>

That is pure BALONEY!!!! It is DEFINITELY not your fault that has

plagio!!!

Marci

[Guest guest]

Dana:

My heart goes out to you as you struggle with all of this. I can relate, as

we were in a similar situation. One day, one opinion makes sense, the next

day the other opinion is great too. In the end, you have to do what you

feel is right. Unfortunately, even plagio dads don't see things the way

plagio moms do.

I found experts who totally disagreed with our decision to use the DOC band

for (and his head was pretty severe) and I too felt like I was out

of line for questioning and ultimately going against them. I found that I

HAD TO!!! I couldn't be satisfied with all of the " probablys " and " what

ifs " and " almost always " and " nearly completelys " that we were hearing.

Unfortunately, there are no guarantees that it will round on its own. But

at least with treatment, we have a fighting chance.

I often think of plagio and braces for teeth. We (as a society) don't think

twice about subjecting our children to 2-4 YEARS of metal, appointments,

retainers, costs. All for clinical and cosmetic benefits. These

helmets/bands are so temporary...why not use them to correct a problem??

I can only sound so convinced because we did decide to fight for the DOC

band, and travel from Cleveland to Chicago for four months. It was

expensive, a major inconvience (we have three other children) and we got

lots of ridicule for fixing something that most people thought was fine, but

in the end I WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN. In a heartbeat. All I need to do

is look at his original cast (the cement block that is shaped like his head

was at the start of treatment) and compare it to his head now, and be sure

we did the right thing.

You have to know that you did nothing to cause this, but it does not help

when hurtful comments come. Maybe it will take you directly addressing the

comments to get them to stop. It may sound impossible, but sometimes people

just don't realize how hurtful their words are.

If repositioning is not continuing to work, I urge you to go ahead with

treatment. The longer you wait, the less opportunity you have for great

results.

This is a very tough time...hang in there.

Sue

Cleveland, OH

Re: Dana/Update with specialist.

> Thanks Kendra, actually I didn't know they made a band in Ottawa.

> If you could find out the clinic information for me that would be

> great!

> You know the sad part about all of this is I went there today with

> my mind made up to get the helmet. Then when they said (1)it wasn't

> needed, (2) " if it was my child I wouldn't bother " , (3)there is no

> evidence that the helmets actually make a difference in head shape

> when compared to natural rounding over time...etc. I just got

> sucked in. Basically, they said that the band is great for kids who

> have severe plagio and are unable to keep off their flat spot. For

> babies that are developing normally, have mild-moderate plagio and

> have no facial assymetry, they don't recommend the helmet.

> My instinct told me to get the helmet anyway, but then I was like

> who am I to question this man. They reassured me that they have

> tracked babies over time and the heads do eventually round out

> (although not perfectly).

> I also asked that be measured and they said they don't do

> measurements..just take pictures to compare over time. I told my

> husband that I would have felt better if he objectively analyzed

> 's head shape instead of a quick glance. All I kept thinking

> was that this man saw 7 babies today with heads shapes far worse

> than 's and then when he saw ..he didn't think it was all

> that bad.

> Anyway, I am stressed. On top of it, I have 2 sets of grandparents

> who have no idea what plagio is and continue to make little comments

> suggesting that it is our fault 's head is flat.

> I try to remind myself every day that things could be much more

> serious and that we are lucky to have a happy, healthy child.

> Sorry so down tonight. I think I will go to bed and hope thinks

> look better tomorrow.

>

> Dana (mommy to )

> Ont.

>

> > > Dana doesn't have an appointment with the specialist

> today?

> > Hope it went

> > > well. Thinking of you!

> > > Beck

> >

> >

> >