Potty Training

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trained in a TLSO brace that included a headpiece so she couldn't even bend

or turn her neck to see what she was doing. I had to help with some up and down

of undies and pants, but she did very well. Eventually, she didn't need my help

even with the undies or pants.

Children are adaptable. This is going to be part of who they are at this time

in their life. I think as a parent we tend to " wig out " more than the child does

when they are this young. I found that if I just said " this is who she is "

everything was fine.

Couple of examples:

When got her TLSO brace (for her facial dysplacia and torticolis, not

really her back per se), her older brother was in preschool. All of the children

were very interested in why all of the sudden had a " turtle shell " (their

words, not mine) So I took the opportunity to explain that 's back and neck

weren't nice and straight like theirs and her " turtle shell " (and actually that

is what it looked like - SMART KIDS!!) was there to help her. They all asked to

touch it and things were fine with them.

another example: about a year after she got the TLSO, we went to Boston for a

consult on getting into the VEPTR trials. has congenital scoliosis, so

the brace wasn't going to do a whole lot for her back, but it did great things

to prevent her face from becoming asymmetrical. We were at a playground with my

SIL and nephew. was running around and climbing like any other child. I

could hear some of the other moms talking amongst themselves wondering if she

had been in an accident, if it was ok for her to go down the slide etc. At one

point she fell, but didn't cry. I think 6 moms ran over to her before I got

there. She was fine, I asked her if she broke the slide. " Nope! " and she ran off

to play with her cousin.

The other moms took this as an opportunity to ask me what happened to her etc.

I explained her condition, why we were in Boston, etc. They also questioned if

it was ok for her to be on the playground with the other kids etc. I said " Look,

the only things I prevent her from doing are things you would typically prevent

a 2 year old from doing - like jumping off the table saying " I can fly " or

running in a parking lot. On a playground, she can play with the other kids - as

you can see. She also cannot play contact sports - so there go her football and

hockey scholarships. " To this day, put her on a playground with a bunch of kids,

and I would bet you to pick out my daughter.

Now that being said, has gotten to the point where she can tell someone

if they are getting too rough and will say to them: " Stop! You are hurting my

back and I have scoweeosis " (her pronunciation) or " Weeve my sohjury alone " Her

teachers and aides all know about her rods and that she can't do contact sports.

They know she may ask to sit in a chair instead of on the carpet if her back is

tired. But for the most part, by letting her play with other kids and teaching

her in age appropriate language about her condition, she has done great!

I know that potty training will be a big step for a lot of the guys and gals

just getting their casts - they will be so much more comfortable! Don't forget

about the old standbys - BRIBES!! M & M's, picking out new underwear, a new book,

a phone call from a favorite character! (This worked wonders for ! When she

was juuuuuuuuust about there - I had my SIL (who is of Puertorican descent and

speaks Spanish) call as " Dora the Explorer " to congratulate her on being a

big girl)

Gail

Crafting Blog: http://itsmineitsallmine.blogspot.com/

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Mom to , 11/28/98 - ADHD/ODD/SID

and , 02/02/02 - Congenital Scoliosis, VATER Association (vertebral and

renal anomalies), Torticollis, Klippel Feil Syndrome, Fused Ribs, First VEPTR

Recipient at Cincinnati Children's Hospital 3/21/05, VEPTR Expansions: 11/05 &

04/20/06

Put a little 'TLC' into your scrapbook!

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http:\\www.topline-creations.com\gail

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