Re: Hadley's getting her first brace

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Shauna~

My son has been in a brace since he was 17 months old. He just turned 2. He was in a TLSO style brace. The first two weeks were really hard when he was first braced. He literally wouldn't move. But, he adjusted really well. It's almost like another piece of clothing to him. I think it's going to be easy for your daughter to adjust to the brace since sheis used to being casted. I don't know too much about the casting just yet. is going to be casted next week in Chicago. But from everything I've read and seen about the cast it seems like it's a little bulkier and heavier than a brace.

I thought I could answer some of your questions regarding a brace. I think the easiest way to put the brace on is to sit Hadley on your lap facing you and open the brace up and wrap it around her. After it's around her place her on the floor and adjust the brace. Once it's where it's suppose to be tighten the straps and your good to go. Make sure the orthosist marks the straps so you know how tight you should pull the straps.

As for clothes under the brace, by far shirts/onsies by HALO are the best! It's kinda like underarmour, in that it helps keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. I've purchased their products on line and at Buy Buy Baby. I also ordered a tight tank top to go under the brace for summer time. I ordered it through Dupont hospital in Delaware.But you could ask the staff about it when you get the brace. As for what size clothing you'll need over the brace that can be tricky. It kinda depends where you shop. is a 2T at Gap with or without the brace, but polo, adiddas, & nike shirts he's a 3T. He's still in diapers but I always put the diaper on before the brace, so the brace would be on top. As for pants I put them on top of the brace or I'd fold the elastic part down. This is just my opinion, but I don't think it's a good idea to put pants under the brace b/c you wont be able to tighten it

properly.

The brace is easy to clean. I'd take the brace off after dinner and whipe it down with mild soap and let it air dry until bedtime. The only part of the brace that is hard to clean are the parts with mole skin. It's definetely a good idea to keep a shirt on top of the brace. That way there is a little bit of a barrier to help keep it clean. Plus, it will keep Hadley's hands of the straps. Last month figured out how to undue the top strap and ended up breaking the buckle. Hope this helps you!

Jen~

To: infantile_scoliosis Sent: Tue, January 5, 2010 10:04:23 AMSubject: Hadley's getting her first brace

We are joining the world of bracing now.. After 8 casts, Hadley is finally getting her first brace. I'm not sure what her degree is down to, we'll find out this Friday. She started at 74 degrees and it was 8 degrees before we got her 8th cast on. Were excited to have the freedom to take baths and go swimming whenever we want now! I was wondering if anybody could tell me a little bit about the brace(I think he called it the TSP or something like that... I could be totally off). He said it was like the cast only no shoulder straps and you can take it off with velcro. A couple questions I have:Is it smaller than that cast in the waist? I'm wondering for the sake of clothes. Do I keep out her clothes that fit her with no cast(2T) or with cast(3T). Do I put her underwear on the inside of the brace or outside like the cast?How easy is it to clean? Like if we camp and it gets dirty, etc?Has any of

your kids tried to take it off themselves and rebelled against it and if so, any hints to help keep it on? ANY helpful hints or tips would be appreciated about her soon to be brace. What is brace life like? And I was also wondering has anybody entered the world of bracing after casting, then had to go back into casting after because the spine started to progress again? This is one of my fears!!!Thanks for any input! Shauna