Growing up w/ Plagio

[Guest guest]

This is in response to , Marcie, and Kellie.

I was never very sensitive about the shape of my head when I was

little. I remember people would point it out and mention how " cute "

it was probably because I looked like a cartoon character with a big

head. I also remember this one time we went horse back riding and

my mom's friend couldn't get the helmet on my head, it was rather

funny at the moment and it didn't matter much since I wouldn't have

worn it anyway.

In fifth grade someone pointed out that the back of my head was

flat, he called me names and pranced around. You couldn't see it

but it was pretty flat to the touch. That was probably the first

time I've ever really noticed it. So I took it as constructive

criticism and I started seeking ways to make my head look " normal. "

I sincerely believe that I started the trend with hair gel, when I

first used it my friends criticized me of using " girly products, "

but not a year after everyone started gelling their hair to look

cool. I soon grew out of that, now I pretty much keep my hair short

by getting it cut every week (I stopped going to Great Clips because

some trainee cut my neck, but that's a different story.)

Has it affected me psychologically and hindered some self-

confidence? Of course. Am I emotionally traumatized for life?

Probably not. No one can tell that I have plagiocephaly from

looking at me now, but I seem to have developed an obsessive

compulsive disorder towards getting my hair cut every week. Sure I

can't get a helmet on and a baseball cap doesn't fit too well, but

there's more things to life than simple aesthetics (this contradicts

with my previous posts of getting surgical help, but... we all want

to look " normal " to some degree.)

As for related medical conditions, I have always been in good

health. I did at one point feel that I was always " half or 3/4

conscious " and my brain is " restricted " due to the flattening of my

head. I think this was purely psychological as nothing showed up on

the CAT scan and it only started after I noticed my plagiocephaly.

I don't know whether I've answered any of your concerns here or

simply rambled on about my personal life. Even if your kids do grow

up with plagiocephaly, it doesn't mean that you're a bad parent.

Although I admit I did blame my parents at one time, I know they've

done everything they could and raised me to the best of their

abilities. Growing up can be tough, as a parent, all you have to do

is provide emotional support and be understanding when your children

need it. I'm sure they'll all grow up to be alright, I did.

Best of luck to all of you,

Tony

> Hello and welcome! I'm sorry to hear of the problems you are

experiencing now

> due to plagio. It further confirms in my mind that treating my

baby was the

> best thing I've ever done. It all fairness to your parents, the

kind of

> helmet/band therapy that our children go through today is very new

and

> probably wasn't even around when you were a baby.

>

> It seems as if your concerns are very serious and significant to

you. I would

> highly recommend seeing if you could have a consultation with a

neurosurgeon

> or a cranial-facial specialist if for no other reason then to get

some

> answers to the excellent questions you pose about skull growth and

the shape

> of your brain. Have you noticed any other medical conditions that

might be

> related to the plagio?

>

> Best of luck to you and I hope you will stick with our group.

>

> Marci (Mom to )

> Oklahoma