Custom Orthotics

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We have over 7 years worth of experience with orthotics...'s worn many different ones from HKAFO's to AFO's to RGO's and probably about everything in between, including night bracing. They were all custom made except the night brace she wears since the last surgery. None of them have ever caused her sores or skin breakdown. But...we have an awesome orthotist. He's actually so good that when he makes a new pair of braces, he does all the measurements and casting and then I go pick them up when 's at school. We don't even do a fitting because he does such a good job. I just bring them home and put them on her. I do know what to look for though, and only a couple of times have I ever had to take them back for a minor adjustment...out of the dozen or so sets she's had over the years. Not every orthotist knows how to make them properly. Whoever you choose, look for experience in your child's diagnosis, not just a degree. Ours has 20+ yrs experience specifically w/ kids w/ SB, so we are fortunate. Not every orthotist in town has dx-specific experience. So...custom made bracing isn't always bad...depending on the orthotist and whether or not they use high quality materials. I understand that 's bracing needs are different than a child with Down syndrome, but if you feel like the situation warrants custom made braces, don't be afraid to...IF you have a good orthotist and IF he has dx-specific experience. That's our experience...and that of many of our families. Mattheiss, Executive DirectorLifeLine, Inc.Reaching Families of Those with Special Needs With Support, Education, and Respite-- Keener <ninepreciousgiftsfromgod@...> wrote:

Steph said her daughter had a foot growth spurt after getting in the Sure Steps. But it sounds like she wasn't doing much weight bearing before, so that must have made the difference.

is a little guy who wears the same size clothes and the same size shoes for a long time. He was pulling to stand and cruising around furniture for 4 or 5 months before he got his Sure Steps. He was a size 3 shoe, and the shoes I found that work with the Sure Steps are a size 4. The Sure Steps and shoes still fit him, and it has been 5 months! His feet may have grown a tiny bit, like maybe he would wear a size 3 1/2 shoe now. He may make it as long as a year before he needs to go to a larger size! I'm sure the insurance will be happy about that, but I'm looking forward to getting to pick out different decals for his next pair.

Another friend has a 4 yr. old adpoted daughter with DS. She homeschools and doesn't want outside intervention, like PT or OT or speech therapy. Her daughter was a few months past 3 when she finally began to walk alone. She walked with a fairly wide base, at first, but that is improving. Anyway, they buy traditional high top white toddler walkers from Stride Rite, and those are the only shoes that give her adequate support so that she will walk. And she wears one pair a whole year before her feet outgrow them. I don't know to what size they'll be able to find those; it seems like they wouldn't make them in sizes larger than a 6 or so.

Well, I wish you and Tyson the best! I guess there are pros and cons to having a relative who is your son's PT.

And I wish Ty a VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY BIRTHDAY!!

Blessings,

sharondcaswell <sharondcaswell > wrote:

Tyson will be 2 years old on Thursday! He is walking around more than crawling now. Not a real smooth, heel toe walk yet, but doing well. Just can't get up once he falls unless he has support. We are working on getting him to pick things up that he drops, and he is willing...just needs help. I'm sure he'll get there.So, thanks for the talk about the differences between sure steps and custom. That is EXACTLY what I am thinking! I have never heard anything good about people with custom made. My nephew had orhtotics when he was young -- custom made ones, and they did not help him at all. My parents have had custom made othotics, and they didn't help -- the good feet store totally fixed my mom's plantar's faci...whatever. But custom made did nothing for her. So, I am not wanting the casted ones!!! And I think the sure steps look great. I will see what his pt (who is my aunt -- which is why I feel a little less forceful about my own opinion and all -- don't want to hurt her feelings!) says about how he is moving -- and if she says he needs support, I will say we are going to start with sure steps.Oh, how long do they last? How fast do the kids need a larger size?I so appreciate you guys! I hope that I will be able to help people out when Ty is older. I feel like I have little to contribute right now.:)Oh, and I am so with you on the immune boosting things!!! Tyson doesn't have asthma, but he does constantly get every cold my other kids carry home with them, and he STRUGGLES to get rid of them. Always leads to a cough, and it seems like he is sick all winter long. But, so far, not many ear infections, so knock on wood with that!thanks again,Sharon

(one and only wife to Fred; mom to Kari, Melody, Faith, Heidi, Isaac, Josiah, , Alana, and ! Yes, they're all ours!)

Is. 40:31 "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

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