Guest guest Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 I was like your daughter when I was young. I slipped easily by the pool and my parents had one from an early age. Rubber soled water shoes might be good for her (Land's End, etc. ). She can always take them off at the edge of the pool or, carry her. Swimming is one of the few things she can do without the fear of falling. She can float as well and it takes all the weight off her joints. Light is the word for her. I was put in heavy leather boots with metal braces up the sides at around age 5. The weight of the boots and braces made me worse, I'm sure. Walking to school was exhausting. I fell so often. When I reached 14 I threw the the heavy braces in the closet, and the heavy braces I was made to sleep in as well, to supposedly stretch my tendons. I wore light moccasins and ballet shoes as well as sandals. Light shoes and slippers will be easier for her to walk with foot drop. A very light custom ankle foot orthosis would help her walk without the drop foot. Something I've mentioned before is that you can put on a high top running shoes and tie a piece of fish line from the bow at the top to the place where the place crosses on the toe and the fish line will help hold up the foot if she wants to kick a ball or run hard. Try it first. Dr. Butch Samson (retired) suggested this to a young New Zealand soccer player who has CMT at a convention way, way back. I thought it was a neat suggestion because Butch has CMT and had discovered that himself. I'm too old to know what else but I do know that professionals don't know everything. They can't put themselves in your place or your daughter's place. You're the mom, Follow your instincts and watch and listen to your daughter. She'll tell you what works and what doesn't. Just my two cents. Cheers! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2011 Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 Thanks very much . She doesn't like sneakers and the heaviness of them may explain it. She says they hurt (even the sparkly ones she initially loved). ________________________________ From: Crabtree <linda@...> Sent: Wed, January 12, 2011 3:59:00 PM Subject: Re: living well in braces I was like your daughter when I was young. I slipped easily by the pool and my parents had one from an early age. Rubber soled water shoes might be good for her (Land's End, etc. ). She can always take them off at the edge of the pool or, carry her. Swimming is one of the few things she can do without the fear of falling. She can float as well and it takes all the weight off her joints. Light is the word for her. I was put in heavy leather boots with metal braces up the sides at around age 5. The weight of the boots and braces made me worse, I'm sure. Walking to school was exhausting. I fell so often. When I reached 14 I threw the the heavy braces in the closet, and the heavy braces I was made to sleep in as well, to supposedly stretch my tendons. I wore light moccasins and ballet shoes as well as sandals. Light shoes and slippers will be easier for her to walk with foot drop. A very light custom ankle foot orthosis would help her walk without the drop foot. Something I've mentioned before is that you can put on a high top running shoes and tie a piece of fish line from the bow at the top to the place where the place crosses on the toe and the fish line will help hold up the foot if she wants to kick a ball or run hard. Try it first. Dr. Butch Samson (retired) suggested this to a young New Zealand soccer player who has CMT at a convention way, way back. I thought it was a neat suggestion because Butch has CMT and had discovered that himself. I'm too old to know what else but I do know that professionals don't know everything. They can't put themselves in your place or your daughter's place. You're the mom, Follow your instincts and watch and listen to your daughter. She'll tell you what works and what doesn't. Just my two cents. Cheers! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Hi Cherie, I have CMT1A and am very active. I have a little difficulty with feeling sure footed around the pool, but am fortunate that I can navigate my way around well. In my experience (at my pool as well as paratriathlon open days with the British Triathlon Foundation) people wear braces, and bring wheelchairs, to a pool's edge without a problem. It is accepted at any pool, provided you discuss with the pool staff first and lifeguards - at least at the pools I go to. Discussion is important. At my gym a woman swims but takes off her prosthetic leg poolside. The lifeguard moves it out of the way and brings it to her when she is done swimming. Discussing with pool staff will enable you to arrange similar for your daughter. I think swimming is ideal exercise and it is great that you are looking for ways to help your daughter enjoy it. With best wishes from London, Donna www.beatinglimitations.com ------ Do people who swim wear the braces to the edge of the pool and then take them off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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