re white-water rafting/trampoline

[Guest guest]

I realize this was posted 5 days ago, don't know when the trip was going to

be... my apologies

I agree with Casey that there's risk in many activities and sometimes one needs

to balance the medical risks and social benefits.

I would consult with your son's dwarfism specialist and see if there are

specific cautions for him.

I'm an achon, I've had four concussions in my life, three as a child (one severe

-flying over bike handlebars), two mild -falling off bike and tripping down

steps; and one mild concussion as an adult -sitting on floor at LPA convention

and ave sized guy fell on top of me. I've never been injured doing anything

risky. OK, so I've been lucky. When I was a kid we didn't wear bike helmets.

The bike gave me such independence as a kid though, it was worth the injuries.

The other two incidents weren't really preventable, like Ellen falling in her

house.

Yes, we are more susceptible or at risk, so even household accidents are more

dangerous for us, but I wouldn't automatically restrict a kid's activities,

beyond contact sports, without consulting a dwarfism specialist that knows the

kid's own situation.

The thought of my also achon son going on middle school ski trips terrified me,

but I let him go. A year later he needed cervical and lumbar decompression and

fusion. Dr. Mackenzie sees no correlation. Now three years after surgery, my

son is cleared for anything except contact sports and lifting stuff over 35 lbs.

Currently he plays basketball with friends and goes sculling on the

River.

Several years ago I went to an orthopedics workshop at a national LPA

conference. A parent asked about trampolines. One ortho, I forget his name,

said no, they're bad, but acknowledged most orthos would say that in general.

Dr. Ain said the same thing, but also said you have to balance. He acknowledged

that his daughters and wife had badgered him to get a trampoline and he

compromised and they got a mini-trampoline, which are by definition small, they

have less bounce and are way safer in many ways for any human, than large

backyard trampolines. He acknowledges there's a risk (he has a daughter who is

achon.) but made this informed decision.

It's like car seats and kids sitting in back seat. I know there are state laws

we have to deal with sometimes, that don't have exceptions. I moved my son out

of booster seat and up to the front seat when he was maybe 12, I forget, but I

justified it that I couldn't talk with him easily over the back of the

frontseat, not seeing him, because I'm supposed to be facing forward as driver

of course, these are the only real conversations parents have with kids

sometimes, and we were more likely to get into car accident (and him hurt)

because of the distraction of being in separate seats like that. Yes, I can

rationalize anything.

Good luck.

Sat Aug 6, 2011 4:38 pm (PDT)

Hi folks! My 20 year old achon son has an opportunity to go white water rafting.

I know there are some no-no's with achons, such as avoiding trampolines. Does

anyone have any recommendations regarding white water rafting?

Thanks,

Kirsi