Guest guest Posted January 16, 2004 Report Share Posted January 16, 2004 Hi Everyone.... What a nice surprise to see Ethan as the front page star! I am happy to announce that he is no longer in the helmet, and while we didn't get as much correction as we would have liked, we are glad that we went the helmet route. Ethan was born in June 2002, routine birth, perfectly round head (from looking back at pictures). We noticed that he always looked to his left, but didn't think anything of it until he was two months old and noticed that he had a severe flattening of the left side of his head, and his ears were misaligned. I brought it up at well baby visits, to be told not to be paranoid, not to worry and it would " round out on its own " ....I brought up torticollis to the doctors, all of whom said that it wasn't an issue. I was never made aware of plagiocephaly, and I have a science background!!!! Fast forward NINE MONTHS, Four doctors and one very angry momma. We are in Vancouver, Canada (that is why the helmet looks so different, it is independantly made), and it is hard to get to a pediatritian as you need to get a referral from your family doctor. So I saw two family GP's, two peds, all of whom told me that it would round out. None mentioned repositioning (which I learned of thru the internet and this group) which we did agressively from two to about 9 months (at that point Ethan was sleeping on his tummy). We did see a marked improvement, but still felt there was more we could do. With the help of Mr. Plagio (Sponagle), we found a local orthotist here who saw Ethan and suggested banding. I finally got really angry with the last doctor I saw and demanded a referral to a neuro, and that I wouldn't leave her office until I got one. We waited 6 weeks to get to see the neuro at children's hosptial here in Vancouver, I showed her the pics I had of Ethan from two months onwards, and she was shocked that we had been brushed off by so many doctors. Because of the repo and improvements we saw, she left the decision up to us about getting the helmet. My husband and I decided that we had nothing to lose (total cost to us after re-imbursement would be about $300 CDN)so we went for it. Ethan was a year old when we got the first helmet. He adjusted wonderfully (we had a few hiccups, but nothing major). He was in the band for about 6 months, and the most improvement was seen in the first couple of months. We got a second band in the summer b/c the orthotist had cut some ventilation holes in the original helmet and essentially ruined it (second helmet free of charge of course!). After not seeing any improvment in the last couple of months my husband and I decided that we would " graduate " Ethan. Ethan's ears have almost come into alignment perfectly. His head is still flat in the back, but much better than it was. All of his pics can be found in the photos section under " Ethan's " . I will post some final ones when I get a chance. I have not been on these boards that much over the past few months. I check in to see if there are any new Canadians and how some of the kiddos are doing. I found the support here in the beginning of my journey to be invaluable. I guess as I went through the process I was more at ease with how things were going and just didn't check back as often. I am now working part time again and expecting our second baby in a few weeks, so lack of time has been a big contributing factor as to why I am not on as often as I was. I know that our story is not unusual, and I am so thankful that we didn't have the insurance headaches that plague many of you in the USA. I have been working with the health units here in my area, and they have now developed a pamphlet on plagio that they give to all new moms at their first home visit after a birth. The health nurses have been great in spreading the word too, so I guess that is a silver lining that has come out of this for us. Thanks again for posting Ethan's pic - this board has provided a great service to our family! , mom to Ethan Vancouver, BC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2004 Report Share Posted January 16, 2004 , Thanks for sharing Ethan's story with us. It's a shame you were blown off for so long, but I'm glad you were persistent in seeking out someone who would listen to your concerns. Congratulations on the upcoming new addition too! , mom to Hannah, DOCgrad Cape Cod, Ma > Hi Everyone.... > > What a nice surprise to see Ethan as the front page star! I am > happy to announce that he is no longer in the helmet, and while we > didn't get as much correction as we would have liked, we are glad > that we went the helmet route. > > Ethan was born in June 2002, routine birth, perfectly round head > (from looking back at pictures). We noticed that he always looked > to his left, but didn't think anything of it until he was two months > old and noticed that he had a severe flattening of the left side of > his head, and his ears were misaligned. I brought it up at well > baby visits, to be told not to be paranoid, not to worry and it > would " round out on its own " ....I brought up torticollis to the > doctors, all of whom said that it wasn't an issue. I was never made > aware of plagiocephaly, and I have a science background!!!! > > Fast forward NINE MONTHS, Four doctors and one very angry momma. We > are in Vancouver, Canada (that is why the helmet looks so different, > it is independantly made), and it is hard to get to a pediatritian > as you need to get a referral from your family doctor. So I saw two > family GP's, two peds, all of whom told me that it would round out. > None mentioned repositioning (which I learned of thru the internet > and this group) which we did agressively from two to about 9 months > (at that point Ethan was sleeping on his tummy). We did see a > marked improvement, but still felt there was more we could do. With > the help of Mr. Plagio (Sponagle), we found a local orthotist here > who saw Ethan and suggested banding. I finally got really angry > with the last doctor I saw and demanded a referral to a neuro, and > that I wouldn't leave her office until I got one. We waited 6 weeks > to get to see the neuro at children's hosptial here in Vancouver, I > showed her the pics I had of Ethan from two months onwards, and she > was shocked that we had been brushed off by so many doctors. > Because of the repo and improvements we saw, she left the decision > up to us about getting the helmet. My husband and I decided that we > had nothing to lose (total cost to us after re-imbursement would be > about $300 CDN)so we went for it. Ethan was a year old when we got > the first helmet. > > He adjusted wonderfully (we had a few hiccups, but nothing major). > He was in the band for about 6 months, and the most improvement was > seen in the first couple of months. We got a second band in the > summer b/c the orthotist had cut some ventilation holes in the > original helmet and essentially ruined it (second helmet free of > charge of course!). After not seeing any improvment in the last > couple of months my husband and I decided that we would " graduate " > Ethan. > > Ethan's ears have almost come into alignment perfectly. His head is > still flat in the back, but much better than it was. All of his > pics can be found in the photos section under " Ethan's " . I will > post some final ones when I get a chance. > > I have not been on these boards that much over the past few months. > I check in to see if there are any new Canadians and how some of the > kiddos are doing. I found the support here in the beginning of my > journey to be invaluable. I guess as I went through the process I > was more at ease with how things were going and just didn't check > back as often. I am now working part time again and expecting our > second baby in a few weeks, so lack of time has been a big > contributing factor as to why I am not on as often as I was. > > I know that our story is not unusual, and I am so thankful that we > didn't have the insurance headaches that plague many of you in the > USA. I have been working with the health units here in my area, and > they have now developed a pamphlet on plagio that they give to all > new moms at their first home visit after a birth. The health nurses > have been great in spreading the word too, so I guess that is a > silver lining that has come out of this for us. > > Thanks again for posting Ethan's pic - this board has provided a > great service to our family! > > , mom to Ethan > Vancouver, BC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2004 Report Share Posted January 16, 2004 , thanks for sharing Ethan's story. I have always loved that picture of him. He is such a doll!! Do you have recent pictures to post of him, helmet free of course? Dustie > Hi Everyone.... > > What a nice surprise to see Ethan as the front page star! I am > happy to announce that he is no longer in the helmet, and while we > didn't get as much correction as we would have liked, we are glad > that we went the helmet route. > > Ethan was born in June 2002, routine birth, perfectly round head > (from looking back at pictures). We noticed that he always looked > to his left, but didn't think anything of it until he was two months > old and noticed that he had a severe flattening of the left side of > his head, and his ears were misaligned. I brought it up at well > baby visits, to be told not to be paranoid, not to worry and it > would " round out on its own " ....I brought up torticollis to the > doctors, all of whom said that it wasn't an issue. I was never made > aware of plagiocephaly, and I have a science background!!!! > > Fast forward NINE MONTHS, Four doctors and one very angry momma. We > are in Vancouver, Canada (that is why the helmet looks so different, > it is independantly made), and it is hard to get to a pediatritian > as you need to get a referral from your family doctor. So I saw two > family GP's, two peds, all of whom told me that it would round out. > None mentioned repositioning (which I learned of thru the internet > and this group) which we did agressively from two to about 9 months > (at that point Ethan was sleeping on his tummy). We did see a > marked improvement, but still felt there was more we could do. With > the help of Mr. Plagio (Sponagle), we found a local orthotist here > who saw Ethan and suggested banding. I finally got really angry > with the last doctor I saw and demanded a referral to a neuro, and > that I wouldn't leave her office until I got one. We waited 6 weeks > to get to see the neuro at children's hosptial here in Vancouver, I > showed her the pics I had of Ethan from two months onwards, and she > was shocked that we had been brushed off by so many doctors. > Because of the repo and improvements we saw, she left the decision > up to us about getting the helmet. My husband and I decided that we > had nothing to lose (total cost to us after re-imbursement would be > about $300 CDN)so we went for it. Ethan was a year old when we got > the first helmet. > > He adjusted wonderfully (we had a few hiccups, but nothing major). > He was in the band for about 6 months, and the most improvement was > seen in the first couple of months. We got a second band in the > summer b/c the orthotist had cut some ventilation holes in the > original helmet and essentially ruined it (second helmet free of > charge of course!). After not seeing any improvment in the last > couple of months my husband and I decided that we would " graduate " > Ethan. > > Ethan's ears have almost come into alignment perfectly. His head is > still flat in the back, but much better than it was. All of his > pics can be found in the photos section under " Ethan's " . I will > post some final ones when I get a chance. > > I have not been on these boards that much over the past few months. > I check in to see if there are any new Canadians and how some of the > kiddos are doing. I found the support here in the beginning of my > journey to be invaluable. I guess as I went through the process I > was more at ease with how things were going and just didn't check > back as often. I am now working part time again and expecting our > second baby in a few weeks, so lack of time has been a big > contributing factor as to why I am not on as often as I was. > > I know that our story is not unusual, and I am so thankful that we > didn't have the insurance headaches that plague many of you in the > USA. I have been working with the health units here in my area, and > they have now developed a pamphlet on plagio that they give to all > new moms at their first home visit after a birth. The health nurses > have been great in spreading the word too, so I guess that is a > silver lining that has come out of this for us. > > Thanks again for posting Ethan's pic - this board has provided a > great service to our family! > > , mom to Ethan > Vancouver, BC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2004 Report Share Posted January 16, 2004 : What a cute little boy & darling picture! Thanks for sharing your story. I'm glad he rec'd some correction at least. Too bad you were blown off for so long, but good for you being so persistent. Debbie > > > Hi Everyone.... > > > > What a nice surprise to see Ethan as the front page star! I am > > happy to announce that he is no longer in the helmet, and while we > > didn't get as much correction as we would have liked, we are glad > > that we went the helmet route. > > > > Ethan was born in June 2002, routine birth, perfectly round head > > (from looking back at pictures). We noticed that he always looked > > to his left, but didn't think anything of it until he was two > months > > old and noticed that he had a severe flattening of the left side > of > > his head, and his ears were misaligned. I brought it up at well > > baby visits, to be told not to be paranoid, not to worry and it > > would " round out on its own " ....I brought up torticollis to the > > doctors, all of whom said that it wasn't an issue. I was never > made > > aware of plagiocephaly, and I have a science background!!!! > > > > Fast forward NINE MONTHS, Four doctors and one very angry momma. > We > > are in Vancouver, Canada (that is why the helmet looks so > different, > > it is independantly made), and it is hard to get to a pediatritian > > as you need to get a referral from your family doctor. So I saw > two > > family GP's, two peds, all of whom told me that it would round > out. > > None mentioned repositioning (which I learned of thru the internet > > and this group) which we did agressively from two to about 9 > months > > (at that point Ethan was sleeping on his tummy). We did see a > > marked improvement, but still felt there was more we could do. > With > > the help of Mr. Plagio (Sponagle), we found a local orthotist here > > who saw Ethan and suggested banding. I finally got really angry > > with the last doctor I saw and demanded a referral to a neuro, and > > that I wouldn't leave her office until I got one. We waited 6 > weeks > > to get to see the neuro at children's hosptial here in Vancouver, > I > > showed her the pics I had of Ethan from two months onwards, and > she > > was shocked that we had been brushed off by so many doctors. > > Because of the repo and improvements we saw, she left the decision > > up to us about getting the helmet. My husband and I decided that > we > > had nothing to lose (total cost to us after re-imbursement would > be > > about $300 CDN)so we went for it. Ethan was a year old when we > got > > the first helmet. > > > > He adjusted wonderfully (we had a few hiccups, but nothing > major). > > He was in the band for about 6 months, and the most improvement > was > > seen in the first couple of months. We got a second band in the > > summer b/c the orthotist had cut some ventilation holes in the > > original helmet and essentially ruined it (second helmet free of > > charge of course!). After not seeing any improvment in the last > > couple of months my husband and I decided that we would " graduate " > > Ethan. > > > > Ethan's ears have almost come into alignment perfectly. His head > is > > still flat in the back, but much better than it was. All of his > > pics can be found in the photos section under " Ethan's " . I will > > post some final ones when I get a chance. > > > > I have not been on these boards that much over the past few > months. > > I check in to see if there are any new Canadians and how some of > the > > kiddos are doing. I found the support here in the beginning of my > > journey to be invaluable. I guess as I went through the process I > > was more at ease with how things were going and just didn't check > > back as often. I am now working part time again and expecting our > > second baby in a few weeks, so lack of time has been a big > > contributing factor as to why I am not on as often as I was. > > > > I know that our story is not unusual, and I am so thankful that we > > didn't have the insurance headaches that plague many of you in the > > USA. I have been working with the health units here in my area, > and > > they have now developed a pamphlet on plagio that they give to all > > new moms at their first home visit after a birth. The health > nurses > > have been great in spreading the word too, so I guess that is a > > silver lining that has come out of this for us. > > > > Thanks again for posting Ethan's pic - this board has provided a > > great service to our family! > > > > , mom to Ethan > > Vancouver, BC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2004 Report Share Posted January 16, 2004 Hi ! Thanks for sharing your story and Ethan is such a cutie! When are you due? I'm due on Valentine's Day! Keep in touch when you have time. Natasha > Hi Everyone.... > > What a nice surprise to see Ethan as the front page star! I am > happy to announce that he is no longer in the helmet, and while we > didn't get as much correction as we would have liked, we are glad > that we went the helmet route. > > Ethan was born in June 2002, routine birth, perfectly round head > (from looking back at pictures). We noticed that he always looked > to his left, but didn't think anything of it until he was two months > old and noticed that he had a severe flattening of the left side of > his head, and his ears were misaligned. I brought it up at well > baby visits, to be told not to be paranoid, not to worry and it > would " round out on its own " ....I brought up torticollis to the > doctors, all of whom said that it wasn't an issue. I was never made > aware of plagiocephaly, and I have a science background!!!! > > Fast forward NINE MONTHS, Four doctors and one very angry momma. We > are in Vancouver, Canada (that is why the helmet looks so different, > it is independantly made), and it is hard to get to a pediatritian > as you need to get a referral from your family doctor. So I saw two > family GP's, two peds, all of whom told me that it would round out. > None mentioned repositioning (which I learned of thru the internet > and this group) which we did agressively from two to about 9 months > (at that point Ethan was sleeping on his tummy). We did see a > marked improvement, but still felt there was more we could do. With > the help of Mr. Plagio (Sponagle), we found a local orthotist here > who saw Ethan and suggested banding. I finally got really angry > with the last doctor I saw and demanded a referral to a neuro, and > that I wouldn't leave her office until I got one. We waited 6 weeks > to get to see the neuro at children's hosptial here in Vancouver, I > showed her the pics I had of Ethan from two months onwards, and she > was shocked that we had been brushed off by so many doctors. > Because of the repo and improvements we saw, she left the decision > up to us about getting the helmet. My husband and I decided that we > had nothing to lose (total cost to us after re-imbursement would be > about $300 CDN)so we went for it. Ethan was a year old when we got > the first helmet. > > He adjusted wonderfully (we had a few hiccups, but nothing major). > He was in the band for about 6 months, and the most improvement was > seen in the first couple of months. We got a second band in the > summer b/c the orthotist had cut some ventilation holes in the > original helmet and essentially ruined it (second helmet free of > charge of course!). After not seeing any improvment in the last > couple of months my husband and I decided that we would " graduate " > Ethan. > > Ethan's ears have almost come into alignment perfectly. His head is > still flat in the back, but much better than it was. All of his > pics can be found in the photos section under " Ethan's " . I will > post some final ones when I get a chance. > > I have not been on these boards that much over the past few months. > I check in to see if there are any new Canadians and how some of the > kiddos are doing. I found the support here in the beginning of my > journey to be invaluable. I guess as I went through the process I > was more at ease with how things were going and just didn't check > back as often. I am now working part time again and expecting our > second baby in a few weeks, so lack of time has been a big > contributing factor as to why I am not on as often as I was. > > I know that our story is not unusual, and I am so thankful that we > didn't have the insurance headaches that plague many of you in the > USA. I have been working with the health units here in my area, and > they have now developed a pamphlet on plagio that they give to all > new moms at their first home visit after a birth. The health nurses > have been great in spreading the word too, so I guess that is a > silver lining that has come out of this for us. > > Thanks again for posting Ethan's pic - this board has provided a > great service to our family! > > , mom to Ethan > Vancouver, BC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2004 Report Share Posted January 16, 2004 Dear ---Thank you for sharing Ethan's story. I absolutely love that picture. I remember seeing it earlier somewhere and just loving it---his look just captivated me, and still does. I always liked the design of his band, too. I thought it looked neat with the dark blue and all the holes. Perhaps this is the band the orthotist ruined...I'm not sure. But it sure does look cool. Anyway---thank you for sharing his story. I can relate in so many ways. I am glad to hear that his ears have lined up better and that his flatness seems less noticeable. That is encouraging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2004 Report Share Posted January 17, 2004 , Thanks for sharing Ethan's story with us! Congrats to you, I didn't know you were expecting!! Please let us know what you have. > Hi Everyone.... > > What a nice surprise to see Ethan as the front page star! I am > happy to announce that he is no longer in the helmet, and while we > didn't get as much correction as we would have liked, we are glad > that we went the helmet route. > > Ethan was born in June 2002, routine birth, perfectly round head > (from looking back at pictures). We noticed that he always looked > to his left, but didn't think anything of it until he was two months > old and noticed that he had a severe flattening of the left side of > his head, and his ears were misaligned. I brought it up at well > baby visits, to be told not to be paranoid, not to worry and it > would " round out on its own " ....I brought up torticollis to the > doctors, all of whom said that it wasn't an issue. I was never made > aware of plagiocephaly, and I have a science background!!!! > > Fast forward NINE MONTHS, Four doctors and one very angry momma. We > are in Vancouver, Canada (that is why the helmet looks so different, > it is independantly made), and it is hard to get to a pediatritian > as you need to get a referral from your family doctor. So I saw two > family GP's, two peds, all of whom told me that it would round out. > None mentioned repositioning (which I learned of thru the internet > and this group) which we did agressively from two to about 9 months > (at that point Ethan was sleeping on his tummy). We did see a > marked improvement, but still felt there was more we could do. With > the help of Mr. Plagio (Sponagle), we found a local orthotist here > who saw Ethan and suggested banding. I finally got really angry > with the last doctor I saw and demanded a referral to a neuro, and > that I wouldn't leave her office until I got one. We waited 6 weeks > to get to see the neuro at children's hosptial here in Vancouver, I > showed her the pics I had of Ethan from two months onwards, and she > was shocked that we had been brushed off by so many doctors. > Because of the repo and improvements we saw, she left the decision > up to us about getting the helmet. My husband and I decided that we > had nothing to lose (total cost to us after re-imbursement would be > about $300 CDN)so we went for it. Ethan was a year old when we got > the first helmet. > > He adjusted wonderfully (we had a few hiccups, but nothing major). > He was in the band for about 6 months, and the most improvement was > seen in the first couple of months. We got a second band in the > summer b/c the orthotist had cut some ventilation holes in the > original helmet and essentially ruined it (second helmet free of > charge of course!). After not seeing any improvment in the last > couple of months my husband and I decided that we would " graduate " > Ethan. > > Ethan's ears have almost come into alignment perfectly. His head is > still flat in the back, but much better than it was. All of his > pics can be found in the photos section under " Ethan's " . I will > post some final ones when I get a chance. > > I have not been on these boards that much over the past few months. > I check in to see if there are any new Canadians and how some of the > kiddos are doing. I found the support here in the beginning of my > journey to be invaluable. I guess as I went through the process I > was more at ease with how things were going and just didn't check > back as often. I am now working part time again and expecting our > second baby in a few weeks, so lack of time has been a big > contributing factor as to why I am not on as often as I was. > > I know that our story is not unusual, and I am so thankful that we > didn't have the insurance headaches that plague many of you in the > USA. I have been working with the health units here in my area, and > they have now developed a pamphlet on plagio that they give to all > new moms at their first home visit after a birth. The health nurses > have been great in spreading the word too, so I guess that is a > silver lining that has come out of this for us. > > Thanks again for posting Ethan's pic - this board has provided a > great service to our family! > > , mom to Ethan > Vancouver, BC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2004 Report Share Posted January 17, 2004 Thanks for sharing his story . Ethan is a cutie pie! Jen- TXTrentyn- 20 mo. DocBand 06/12/03 & 09/17/03DocGrad 01/16/04 Front Page Star - Ethan ThanksHi Everyone....What a nice surprise to see Ethan as the front page star! I am happy to announce that he is no longer in the helmet, and while we didn't get as much correction as we would have liked, we are glad that we went the helmet route.Ethan was born in June 2002, routine birth, perfectly round head (from looking back at pictures). We noticed that he always looked to his left, but didn't think anything of it until he was two months old and noticed that he had a severe flattening of the left side of his head, and his ears were misaligned. I brought it up at well baby visits, to be told not to be paranoid, not to worry and it would "round out on its own"....I brought up torticollis to the doctors, all of whom said that it wasn't an issue. I was never made aware of plagiocephaly, and I have a science background!!!!Fast forward NINE MONTHS, Four doctors and one very angry momma. We are in Vancouver, Canada (that is why the helmet looks so different, it is independantly made), and it is hard to get to a pediatritian as you need to get a referral from your family doctor. So I saw two family GP's, two peds, all of whom told me that it would round out. None mentioned repositioning (which I learned of thru the internet and this group) which we did agressively from two to about 9 months (at that point Ethan was sleeping on his tummy). We did see a marked improvement, but still felt there was more we could do. With the help of Mr. Plagio (Sponagle), we found a local orthotist here who saw Ethan and suggested banding. I finally got really angry with the last doctor I saw and demanded a referral to a neuro, and that I wouldn't leave her office until I got one. We waited 6 weeks to get to see the neuro at children's hosptial here in Vancouver, I showed her the pics I had of Ethan from two months onwards, and she was shocked that we had been brushed off by so many doctors. Because of the repo and improvements we saw, she left the decision up to us about getting the helmet. My husband and I decided that we had nothing to lose (total cost to us after re-imbursement would be about $300 CDN)so we went for it. Ethan was a year old when we got the first helmet. He adjusted wonderfully (we had a few hiccups, but nothing major). He was in the band for about 6 months, and the most improvement was seen in the first couple of months. We got a second band in the summer b/c the orthotist had cut some ventilation holes in the original helmet and essentially ruined it (second helmet free of charge of course!). After not seeing any improvment in the last couple of months my husband and I decided that we would "graduate" Ethan.Ethan's ears have almost come into alignment perfectly. His head is still flat in the back, but much better than it was. All of his pics can be found in the photos section under "Ethan's". I will post some final ones when I get a chance.I have not been on these boards that much over the past few months. I check in to see if there are any new Canadians and how some of the kiddos are doing. I found the support here in the beginning of my journey to be invaluable. I guess as I went through the process I was more at ease with how things were going and just didn't check back as often. I am now working part time again and expecting our second baby in a few weeks, so lack of time has been a big contributing factor as to why I am not on as often as I was.I know that our story is not unusual, and I am so thankful that we didn't have the insurance headaches that plague many of you in the USA. I have been working with the health units here in my area, and they have now developed a pamphlet on plagio that they give to all new moms at their first home visit after a birth. The health nurses have been great in spreading the word too, so I guess that is a silver lining that has come out of this for us.Thanks again for posting Ethan's pic - this board has provided a great service to our family!, mom to EthanVancouver, BCFor more plagio info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2004 Report Share Posted January 18, 2004 Thanks for sharing Ethan's story. He is so cute. It sounds like Ethan received awesome correction. Congratulations on helping educate new families. That is so wonderful. I wish i would have received informaTION ON plAGIO WHEN jENNA WAS BORN. cONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PREGNANCY!! Please give us more updates when time allows. Angie and Jenna(STAR grad) Front Page Star - Ethan Hi Everyone....What a nice surprise to see Ethan as the front page star! I am happy to announce that he is no longer in the helmet, and while we didn't get as much correction as we would have liked, we are glad that we went the helmet route.Ethan was born in June 2002, routine birth, perfectly round head (from looking back at pictures). We noticed that he always looked to his left, but didn't think anything of it until he was two months old and noticed that he had a severe flattening of the left side of his head, and his ears were misaligned. I brought it up at well baby visits, to be told not to be paranoid, not to worry and it would "round out on its own"....I brought up torticollis to the doctors, all of whom said that it wasn't an issue. I was never made aware of plagiocephaly, and I have a science background!!!!Fast forward NINE MONTHS, Four doctors and one very angry momma. We are in Vancouver, Canada (that is why the helmet looks so different, it is independantly made), and it is hard to get to a pediatritian as you need to get a referral from your family doctor. So I saw two family GP's, two peds, all of whom told me that it would round out. None mentioned repositioning (which I learned of thru the internet and this group) which we did agressively from two to about 9 months (at that point Ethan was sleeping on his tummy). We did see a marked improvement, but still felt there was more we could do. With the help of Mr. Plagio (Sponagle), we found a local orthotist here who saw Ethan and suggested banding. I finally got really angry with the last doctor I saw and demanded a referral to a neuro, and that I wouldn't leave her office until I got one. We waited 6 weeks to get to see the neuro at children's hosptial here in Vancouver, I showed her the pics I had of Ethan from two months onwards, and she was shocked that we had been brushed off by so many doctors. Because of the repo and improvements we saw, she left the decision up to us about getting the helmet. My husband and I decided that we had nothing to lose (total cost to us after re-imbursement would be about $300 CDN)so we went for it. Ethan was a year old when we got the first helmet. He adjusted wonderfully (we had a few hiccups, but nothing major). He was in the band for about 6 months, and the most improvement was seen in the first couple of months. We got a second band in the summer b/c the orthotist had cut some ventilation holes in the original helmet and essentially ruined it (second helmet free of charge of course!). After not seeing any improvment in the last couple of months my husband and I decided that we would "graduate" Ethan.Ethan's ears have almost come into alignment perfectly. His head is still flat in the back, but much better than it was. All of his pics can be found in the photos section under "Ethan's". I will post some final ones when I get a chance.I have not been on these boards that much over the past few months. I check in to see if there are any new Canadians and how some of the kiddos are doing. I found the support here in the beginning of my journey to be invaluable. I guess as I went through the process I was more at ease with how things were going and just didn't check back as often. I am now working part time again and expecting our second baby in a few weeks, so lack of time has been a big contributing factor as to why I am not on as often as I was.I know that our story is not unusual, and I am so thankful that we didn't have the insurance headaches that plague many of you in the USA. I have been working with the health units here in my area, and they have now developed a pamphlet on plagio that they give to all new moms at their first home visit after a birth. The health nurses have been great in spreading the word too, so I guess that is a silver lining that has come out of this for us.Thanks again for posting Ethan's pic - this board has provided a great service to our family!, mom to EthanVancouver, BCFor more plagio info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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