Re: Re: Helmet Issues in Seattle...

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks so much for you email and help. Yes, my son has the Clarren helmet and I hate it. It looks to me that the Starband would be a more comfortable helmet but I do not know if it is available in this area. 's head slides around inside and when he is laying down and it shifts to the side that we are trying to round out. By doing this it puts pressure on that spot. My husband and I cannot figure out how this is going to help that flattened area. I took a measurement of his head last night and it was so swollen compared to this morning (maybe almost 1/4 inch) which is probably why is was so tight. Did you have any problems with swelling in the beginning?

Thanks again!

Kathyjulie kenyon <julie.kenyon@...> wrote:

Welcome to the group!I see that Christie already sent you the link to the Orthomerica site. Is a Clarren Helmet the kind your son has?I know that when my son first got his STARband, it was difficult to put on. Our band got more flexible with use, time and practice. I know I was so scared that I would not do it right for the first week, but now I can pop it on his head in my sleep! LOL..It sounds like you need to call your orthotist for some help, either getting the fit right, or just some tips on how to get the helmet on your son.Best of luck! And please let us know how things go!-mom to AidanSTARband 08/26/03GR MI> Hi all...I live in the Seattle area and just picked up

the helmet > for my son on Friday (from Children's Hospital). We have already > had some issues. It is a solid helmet...looks like and old > fashioned football helmet...the top of my son's head it quite a bit > wider than the rest so getting the helmet on was difficult the one > time I did it (yesterday for a bath). Today when we took it off it > felt quite a bit tighter and we could NOT get it back on. Has > anyone had this problem? The helmet is made of a white plastic with > a VERY thin layer of styrofoam and has a chin strap. The helmet > covers the entire head and ears with minimal holes for ventilation > and hearing.> > Does anyone have a helmet like this and has anyone had these > problems? The DOC band is not available in this state.For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie and thank you for the welcome. I called Children's last night and I am waiting for their call back this morning. Yes they do have the STARscanner here which was great. Both my husband and I were talking last night and agree that the helmet may have been made incorrectly. When they made the scan the one man asked the other 2 or 3 times if he wanted another scan. The one who was in charge said no this should be fine. As for his experience he said that he has been doing this for 20 years. They were both very nice but my husband said that he was watching the guy when he was putting it on and he was really pulling on it. The questions/problems I have are why would they let us leave with it so tight (unless that is the norm) and when he put it on him he said his head had done some growing in the past week (the time it took between his scan appointment and getting the helmet) which leads me to believe that maybe there was

something wrong with the scan.

Thank again!

Kathy and Debbie <dj2kirby@...> wrote:

Hi Kathy & welcome to our group:We've had a few past members use Seattle's Children Hospital for their helmet, I think, not sure, but I think the Clarren Helmet is fairly new to Seattl'es Children Hospital. I remember a parent talking about having it this past summer. They also have the "STARscanner" there now for casting correct?? Seems that parent was saying that, I'll search the archives.I'm SOOOO sorry things are off to such a shaky start. The helmet defitinely sounds to be too tight & not fitting properly at all. I mean, if you can't even get the helmet back on after removing it, then there's clearly a fit problem.I'd call your orthotist back first thing this morning & request to be seen asap. Is your orthotist experienced in treating plagio babies w/the helmet? I'd ask that as

well.If the helmet is so tight, they might need to recast or rescan your baby & get a new helmet made.I'm sorry things aren't going well so soon. I hope your ortho can solve the problems for you asap. Keep us posted.Debbie Abby's mom MI> Hi all...I live in the Seattle area and just picked up the helmet > for my son on Friday (from Children's Hospital). We have already > had some issues. It is a solid helmet...looks like and old > fashioned football helmet...the top of my son's head it quite a bit > wider than the rest so getting the helmet on was difficult the one > time I did it (yesterday for a bath). Today when we took it off it > felt quite a bit tighter and we could NOT get it back on. Has > anyone had this problem? The helmet is made of a white

plastic with > a VERY thin layer of styrofoam and has a chin strap. The helmet > covers the entire head and ears with minimal holes for ventilation > and hearing.> > Does anyone have a helmet like this and has anyone had these > problems? The DOC band is not available in this state.For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Dustie,

Thank you for the email! I just posted a long winded message regarding 's helmet. To make a long story short we got a new helmet and it is great! The only thing better would be no helmet at all.

Kathydustiejones@... wrote:

Hi Kathy and welcome to the group. I see you have rec'd some great information and help. Let us know how things go.Dustie> Hi all...I live in the Seattle area and just picked up the helmet > for my son on Friday (from Children's Hospital). We have already > had some issues. It is a solid helmet...looks like and old > fashioned football helmet...the top of my son's head it quite a bit > wider than the rest so getting the helmet on was difficult the one > time I did it (yesterday for a bath). Today when we took it off it > felt quite a bit tighter and we could NOT get it back on. Has > anyone had this problem? The helmet is made of a white plastic with > a VERY thin layer of

styrofoam and has a chin strap. The helmet > covers the entire head and ears with minimal holes for ventilation > and hearing.> > Does anyone have a helmet like this and has anyone had these > problems? The DOC band is not available in this state.For more plagio info