Re: Our helmet experiences!!!! DOC Band and Orthotic Helmets-stacy

[Guest guest]

Dear Donna, , the Moderator and everyone else:

I thoroughly stand behind every bit of my statement and feel very

passionate about my experiences. I do not understand how in the world

my statements were inflammatory, derogatory, or meant to hurt

feelings. I suggest you read my commentary again. I shared a personal

experience with everyone to help assist them in a difficult decision

process. I realize that the decision process includes time

constraints and a substantial amount money that not all parents have

access to-which is why I feel strong statements are critical.

Unlike many, we have used two different products and can confidently

compare them. As a result of that experience I am PRO DOC Band. Had

the DOC Band not been successful and the Orthotic Helmet had been

successful I would be pro Orthotic Helmet. But that was not the case.

To put this rather bluntly I would have rather have had someone hurt

my feelings earlier in order to prevent my daughter from needing

corrective cosmetic surgery (which she does) than try to be

politically correct. I stand behind my experiences. I do not know

about the Star Band, but I do know of the Orthotic Helmets and the

DOC Band. The Orthotic Helemts did not work with my twin daughters at

all, in addition the University did not tell us about any of our

other options (my fault for not investigating)-which I think is

financially motivated since the Orthotic Helmet Lab was owned by the

University. We lucked out that we moved and encountered a different

specialist that redirected us! Had that not happened one of my

daughters would have probably required extensive corrective cosmetic

surgery. I am a realist, people judge appearances and such an outcome

could have impacted her for the rest of her life (i.e. finding a

spouse, employment, and friends)

On a side note-I do not know how many fathers post on here or maybe

it's just me personally-I am blunt and to the point, and if I feel

strongly enough to take my time to post something, you will get my

uncensored opinion.

This is not meant to inflame things, but rather to help other parents

and most importantly their children!

If you want to encourage open dialog and the sharing of experiences

good and bad-do not ask people to refrain from communicating their

experiences or opinions-regardless of whether or not you agree!

Steve

> > Hi,

> > While I appreciate your enthusiasm for the DOCband, it is a good

> > product. I have to tell you that we have had many, many, many

> > success' here from bands other then the DOCband. The DOCband

isn't

> > the only good product out there. Our members use DOCbands,

> STARbands,

> > Local helmets and so on. We are here to support all types of

plagio

> > treatment. Whether it be banding or repositioning. I must ask

that

> > you please refrain from making statements like this in the future:

> > " I realize that there are cheaper options out there, but the DOC

> > Band works. Don't waste your precious time on the other items out

> > there, or you could end up in similar situation to ours. "

> > I hope you understand.

> > Thanks,

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > --- In Plagiocephaly , " sjk291 " <sjk291@y...>

wrote:

> > > I have twin daughters that both had plagiocephaly, and one also

> had

> > > torticollis.

> > >

> > > We were originally diagnosed in the St. Louis area and were

> > > instructed to purchase Orthotic Helmets from the University Lab

> > > (where the physician happened to be employed) These helmets

were

> > > fairly expensive. In addition, they were horrible. Our infants

> > hated

> > > them, they continually tried to get the helmet off, primarily

> > because

> > > of the velcro chin strap mechanism that maintains their

> placement,

> > > and the complete discomfort associated with the design. We all

> > > suffered through several months of these crappy helmets, and

only

> > > received minimal improvement. Our daughter's heads were still

> > > disfigured. Fortunately, during this time I was relocated to

> Kansas

> > > City and we met a new Specialist that recommended the DOC Band.

> We

> > > spoke with several people at the company and received the

> > > documentation and support that we needed for the insurance

> claims,

> > > they helped us get them reimbursed.

> > >

> > > Our first daughter wore her band for a few months and was taken

> out

> > > of it, the improvement was remarkable. Our second daughter (the

> > most

> > > extreme case) made noted improvement and was relieved of her

band

> > > after six months or so. Unfortunately because of her increasing

> age

> > > she was taken out of the helmet due to the diminishing benefits

> > that

> > > would be received at that point. Her improvement though was

> great,

> > > compared to where it was when we started. She will need to have

a

> > > cosmetic procedure performed on her ear, because it is sticking

> out

> > > pretty far, but her head shape is close to being normal. I

> > > thouroughly believe that if we had the DOC Band in the

beginning

> > the

> > > time in the helmets would have been reduced, and that our

results

> > > would have been 100% successful.

> > >

> > > On a wonderful note, we have some friends that were blessed

with

> > > triplets in Colorado, two of them required devices(the

> > plagiocephaly

> > > was caught early) They asked us about our experience, and they

> > > elected to get the DOC Band. After three months they are both

> > looking

> > > great, and will have them removed next week!!!!!! The original

> > > specialist directed them to an Orthotic Helmet-----all I can

say

> is

> > > why?????

> > >

> > > I realize that there are cheaper options out there, but the DOC

> > Band

> > > works. Don't waste your precious time on the other items out

> there,

> > > or you could end up in similar situation to ours.

> > >

> > > If you want to know more about our experience or would like our

> > > support email us at kempentwins@y...

> > >

> > >

> > > The tips that I can recommend are the following:

> > > 1. Find a competent specialist!

> > > 2. If an orthotic device is need get the DOC Band!

> > > 3. Use the DOC Band, it is hard to see your infant wearing

these-

> > > perservere, it is for them!

> > > 4. Follow up, and if you receive red marks contact the device

> > fitter!

>

>

>