Re: Walking in Mercell vs shoes

[Guest guest]

The mitchell shoe will probably be easier to walk on cuz the bottom attachment

part is flatter and lower to the ground. Good luck!

s.

Walking in Mercell vs shoes

My son is 16 months old and is currently in the Mercell shoes (yuck).

I am hoping to get the s soon.

My question is, are there any other little ones out there that can

walk in these crazy shoes? Will the shoes be any easier for

him to walk in???

He started walking when he was 10 months old and wants to continue to

walk desperately. But it is near impossible with the Mercell shoes. I

am hoping the s will be easier. Am I all wet?? Or do these

little guys figure it out after a while?

[Guest guest]

I think most children would have an easier time walking in the

shoes. They are just set up so that they would be more stable. You

could also have a pad added to the front of the soles that would make

them even more stable. I've heard of several children who can walk in

the s.

That being said, my son can walk in the Markells. He thinks it's very

funny too! He could push toys like his doll stroller around while

wearing the FAB before he could walk on his own. It depends, in large

part, on how you set up the bar. The red bar is nice and flat. The

gold bar is more stable if it has a bend at each end instead of a curve

in the middle.

This isn't too much of an issue for most people since most babies are

only wearing the FAB during sleeping hours once they are walking. Is

your son being treated for a relapse and needing to wear the FAB for

the longer hours? Can you tell me more about the troubles you are

having with the Markells?

We wish you continued success!

Naomi

The Family

Naomi Hannah(02/21/01) Jonah(06/20/03, corrected bilateral

clubfoot, FAB 14/7)

> My son is 16 months old and is currently in the Mercell shoes (yuck).

> I am hoping to get the s soon.

>

> My question is, are there any other little ones out there that can

> walk in these crazy shoes? Will the shoes be any easier for

> him to walk in???

>

> He started walking when he was 10 months old and wants to continue to

> walk desperately. But it is near impossible with the Mercell shoes. I

> am hoping the s will be easier. Am I all wet?? Or do these

> little guys figure it out after a while?

[Guest guest]

do you mean unaided walking? Or hanging onto furniture? I think the

PM's ('s) would have to be easier to walkin because the sole

is relatively flat. Darbi almost can do it but only on carpet.

ok, wow... I was typing that and dh tells me she wants out of her

chair. (was having a snack). So I left the puter and get her

out. When I came back to her after taking the tray to the kitchen

she was crouching and then stood up and started walking toward

me! On the hardwoods no less!!! So YES!! They CAN walk in

these! She did it for me 3 times before I took it off because it was

time. So cool! Too bad her shoes are broken (yes , just like

's are as are her new pair - something's up with that batch cuz

we're not the only ones) and I can't see spending $20 to get her the

rubber soles on these shoes. I need to call too.

Darbi wore the Markell's up till a few months ago and I don't think

she would have been able to do it in those because I had to have a

pad on the bar to protect the floors (and us). So it made it extra

tippy. I do know that when my cousin wore this brace in the 70's she

did walk in hers. But my aunt got her shoes at Nordstrom for that

brace too so it likely was different than the current one anyway. My

cousin was 3 though, and Darbi is 2.5yo now. I have heard from the

old timers with older children (who are now in the 4-6 age range)

about kids walking around in the brace so it is totally possible.

Kori & Darbi - the FAB walking girl!!!

At 07:35 PM 10/3/2005, you wrote:

>My son is 16 months old and is currently in the Mercell shoes (yuck).

>I am hoping to get the s soon.

>

>My question is, are there any other little ones out there that can

>walk in these crazy shoes? Will the shoes be any easier for

>him to walk in???

>

>He started walking when he was 10 months old and wants to continue to

>walk desperately. But it is near impossible with the Mercell shoes. I

>am hoping the s will be easier. Am I all wet?? Or do these

>little guys figure it out after a while?

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Way to go Darbi! Awesome girl!

> >My son is 16 months old and is currently in the Mercell shoes (yuck).

> >I am hoping to get the s soon.

> >

> >My question is, are there any other little ones out there that can

> >walk in these crazy shoes? Will the shoes be any easier for

> >him to walk in???

> >

> >He started walking when he was 10 months old and wants to continue to

> >walk desperately. But it is near impossible with the Mercell shoes. I

> >am hoping the s will be easier. Am I all wet?? Or do these

> >little guys figure it out after a while?

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

We were seeing a doctor for the first 10 months of Brenden's life.

He used the casting method (not very well) but we didn't know

better. He had surgery when he was 6 months old with this doctor and

was casted after that. But the casts would not stay on. He was then

put into an AFO, and his foot seemed to get worse. So I started to

look into other doctors and other methods to treat him. That is when

I came upon this site and found out about Ponseti.

We switched to our current doctor at that point. He is not an

official Ponseti approved doctor, however he follows the methods to

a T.

This doctor started over basically with the castings. He was put

under each time there was a cast change to get a good correction. I

believe this made a huge difference. His foot looks incredible. We

were thrilled when the final cast came off 3 weeks ago.

The trouble I am having with the Mercells is the medal and the bar.

His bar is red and is bent in the middle. He walks with them behind

push toys on his tip toes basically, but because the bar is bent, he

is like a weeble woble. It seems dangerous. I hate it when he tries

to walk. The shoe just seems more practical and less

dangerous. Plus more comfortable.

We are seeing his doctor again tomorrow. I will talk to him about

the various shoes.

We are also going to the Shriners hospital in Chicago to get their

opinion on his treatment thus far.

> > My son is 16 months old and is currently in the Mercell shoes

(yuck).

> > I am hoping to get the s soon.

> >

> > My question is, are there any other little ones out there that

can

> > walk in these crazy shoes? Will the shoes be any easier

for

> > him to walk in???

> >

> > He started walking when he was 10 months old and wants to

continue to

> > walk desperately. But it is near impossible with the Mercell

shoes. I

> > am hoping the s will be easier. Am I all wet?? Or do

these

> > little guys figure it out after a while?

[Guest guest]

We were seeing a doctor for the first 10 months of Brenden's life.

He used the casting method (not very well) but we didn't know

better. He had surgery when he was 6 months old with this doctor and

was casted after that. But the casts would not stay on. He was then

put into an AFO, and his foot seemed to get worse. So I started to

look into other doctors and other methods to treat him. That is when

I came upon this site and found out about Ponseti.

We switched to our current doctor at that point. He is not an

official Ponseti approved doctor, however he follows the methods to

a T.

This doctor started over basically with the castings. He was put

under each time there was a cast change to get a good correction. I

believe this made a huge difference. His foot looks incredible. We

were thrilled when the final cast came off 3 weeks ago.

The trouble I am having with the Mercells is the medal and the bar.

His bar is red and is bent in the middle. He walks with them behind

push toys on his tip toes basically, but because the bar is bent, he

is like a weeble woble. It seems dangerous. I hate it when he tries

to walk. The shoe just seems more practical and less

dangerous. Plus more comfortable.

We are seeing his doctor again tomorrow. I will talk to him about

the various shoes.

We are also going to the Shriners hospital in Chicago to get their

opinion on his treatment thus far.

> > My son is 16 months old and is currently in the Mercell shoes

(yuck).

> > I am hoping to get the s soon.

> >

> > My question is, are there any other little ones out there that

can

> > walk in these crazy shoes? Will the shoes be any easier

for

> > him to walk in???

> >

> > He started walking when he was 10 months old and wants to

continue to

> > walk desperately. But it is near impossible with the Mercell

shoes. I

> > am hoping the s will be easier. Am I all wet?? Or do

these

> > little guys figure it out after a while?

[Guest guest]

That is awesome! And very encouraging! Brenden wants to walk so bad.

he walked in the last 3 casts. It was amazing. I'm just afraid for

him to walk in these Mercells.

I know what you mean about protecting yourself and the house from

these shoes too. You have to watch your ankles when he crawls by.

I've been wacked a ton of times and it has only been 3 weeks. My

walls are getting hacked. After a week, we took down his crib and

put a twin matress on the floor and put foam things all the way

around 2 sides to protect the walls when he rolls at night. It

doesn't look very nice in his room, but atleast he doesn't wake

himself anymore and my walls won't have gouges!!

How long has your child been in the shoes?? My doctor really hasn't

said how long this whole process is going to take.

> >My son is 16 months old and is currently in the Mercell shoes

(yuck).

> >I am hoping to get the s soon.

> >

> >My question is, are there any other little ones out there that can

> >walk in these crazy shoes? Will the shoes be any easier

for

> >him to walk in???

> >

> >He started walking when he was 10 months old and wants to

continue to

> >walk desperately. But it is near impossible with the Mercell

shoes. I

> >am hoping the s will be easier. Am I all wet?? Or do these

> >little guys figure it out after a while?

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

That is awesome! And very encouraging! Brenden wants to walk so bad.

he walked in the last 3 casts. It was amazing. I'm just afraid for

him to walk in these Mercells.

I know what you mean about protecting yourself and the house from

these shoes too. You have to watch your ankles when he crawls by.

I've been wacked a ton of times and it has only been 3 weeks. My

walls are getting hacked. After a week, we took down his crib and

put a twin matress on the floor and put foam things all the way

around 2 sides to protect the walls when he rolls at night. It

doesn't look very nice in his room, but atleast he doesn't wake

himself anymore and my walls won't have gouges!!

How long has your child been in the shoes?? My doctor really hasn't

said how long this whole process is going to take.

> >My son is 16 months old and is currently in the Mercell shoes

(yuck).

> >I am hoping to get the s soon.

> >

> >My question is, are there any other little ones out there that can

> >walk in these crazy shoes? Will the shoes be any easier

for

> >him to walk in???

> >

> >He started walking when he was 10 months old and wants to

continue to

> >walk desperately. But it is near impossible with the Mercell

shoes. I

> >am hoping the s will be easier. Am I all wet?? Or do these

> >little guys figure it out after a while?

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Glad to hear that Brenden is now on the right track!! Not sure if

someone has mentioned this already but there is a gold adjustable bar

available that is just bent on the ends for dorsiflexion. We use it

and it is totally flat along the length. There is a pic of it in the

photo's section under the file grace. We are really happy with it.

They have also now come out with a thicker one which we will get for

Grace with her next shoes. You may want to look at getting this bar

instead, it also allows you to unscrew the shoes by hand and move

them very easily.

& Grace

> > > My son is 16 months old and is currently in the Mercell shoes

> (yuck).

> > > I am hoping to get the s soon.

> > >

> > > My question is, are there any other little ones out there that

> can

> > > walk in these crazy shoes? Will the shoes be any

easier

> for

> > > him to walk in???

> > >

> > > He started walking when he was 10 months old and wants to

> continue to

> > > walk desperately. But it is near impossible with the Mercell

> shoes. I

> > > am hoping the s will be easier. Am I all wet?? Or do

> these

> > > little guys figure it out after a while?

[Guest guest]

The gold bars do come straight, our orthotist bends the ends to 15

degrees. She drew an outline for us on a piece of paper (didn't have

a protractor at home) so we could rebend the bar a bit if necessary.

I didn't realize that the red bars I've seen on this board and cfpics

didn't come that way (bent in a U shape) and were bent that way by

the orthotist, that really dosen't make sense!! If dorsiflexion can

be achieved by just bending the ends to 15 degrees, why don't they do

that so the kids can cruise in them??? Totally wacky Kori, I agree!

& Grace

> > > > > My son is 16 months old and is currently in the Mercell

shoes

> > > (yuck).

> > > > > I am hoping to get the s soon.

> > > > >

> > > > > My question is, are there any other little ones out there

that

> > > can

> > > > > walk in these crazy shoes? Will the shoes be any

> >easier

> > > for

> > > > > him to walk in???

> > > > >

> > > > > He started walking when he was 10 months old and wants to

> > > continue to

> > > > > walk desperately. But it is near impossible with the Mercell

> > > shoes. I

> > > > > am hoping the s will be easier. Am I all wet?? Or do

> > > these

> > > > > little guys figure it out after a while?

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

The gold bars (both the adjustable and the non-adjustable) most

certainly do come from the manufacturer/distributor perfectly flat.

We've wound up having to bend 2 of Jonah's bars ourselves (one time

as the result of the orthotist throwing a real fit about us insisting

on having a longer bar than *he* thought Jonah needed. Like he's the

one who has to listen to the kid cry and tell us his legs are

hurting. Anyway.). Good thing my DH is so handy.

Jonah's first bar--gold, non-adjustable--had a curving bend in the

middle which was very unstable for standing on. Since then, we have

made sure that we get the bends at each end so that he has a flat

surface to stand on.

I've recently seen several pictures of children in bars that were not

bent at all. Oops. Including one where the parents were worried

about their son loosing dorsiflexion. You mean there's a reason

these things are set up the way they are???

OK, OK. Enough from me.

Naomi

The Family

Naomi Hannah(02/21/01) Jonah(06/20/03, corrected bilateral

clubfoot, FAB 14/7)

> i think all these bars are straight initially and the orthotist

bends

> them when you get them fitted. So theoretically they all could be

> bent at each end only. Ours always were but they still could have

> been put the bend further out. I've seen some of the bars actually

> rounded to achieve the dorsiflexion or bent at the center like a V

> even. Quite honestly, what they're thinking doing that over making

a

> nice flat area for the child to stand in is beyond my

> comprehension. Sometimes I wonder what some of these orthotists

are

> thinking when they come up with some of these wacky ways to set up

> the FAB. I am positive that the standard gold bars come straight,

> and from the pics from Markell's website of the adjustable gold bar

> they too are straight and need bending. Although I could be wrong

> having not actually seen one personally. If you want the bends to

be

> closer to the shoes you should ask the orthotists to do it that way

> for you, hopefully they don't throw fits lol~!

>

> Kori

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for correcting me, ee! Looking at Lily's

bar, I don't even notice this. But 10 degrees isn't

that much, so I suppose it's there.

By the way, we went to pick up Lily's new P/M shoes

on Tuesday & they came with a whole new bar too. Orthotist

said she just ordered the shoes. The orthotics dept.

pre-authorizes the shoe and/or bar order ahead of time,

and that authorization took a lot longer to get this time.

Just wondering if the insurance company refused to pay

for the shoes w/o a bar attached. What a waste. Anyway,

we went ahead and just donated her old pair/bar to

the kids in Ecuador that our doc treats each May.

And I noticed that the tongues each have a little hole punched

in the center. Anyone know what that's for?

Thanks again, ee.

Kim

> > i think all these bars are straight initially and the orthotist

> bends

> > them when you get them fitted. So theoretically they all could

be

> > bent at each end only. Ours always were but they still could

have

> > been put the bend further out. I've seen some of the bars

actually

> > rounded to achieve the dorsiflexion or bent at the center like a

V

> > even. Quite honestly, what they're thinking doing that over

making

> a

> > nice flat area for the child to stand in is beyond my

> > comprehension. Sometimes I wonder what some of these orthotists

> are

> > thinking when they come up with some of these wacky ways to set

up

> > the FAB. I am positive that the standard gold bars come

straight,

> > and from the pics from Markell's website of the adjustable gold

bar

> > they too are straight and need bending. Although I could be

wrong

> > having not actually seen one personally. If you want the bends

to

> be

> > closer to the shoes you should ask the orthotists to do it that

way

> > for you, hopefully they don't throw fits lol~!

> >

> > Kori

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for that tip about the gold bar. I'm going to call our

orthotist about getting it. Just in case it takes a while to get the

Michells. I called the numbers that I found on this site and none of

them worked. I was happy to see that there is a new number to call

for them tonight.

> > > > My son is 16 months old and is currently in the Mercell

shoes

> > (yuck).

> > > > I am hoping to get the s soon.

> > > >

> > > > My question is, are there any other little ones out there

that

> > can

> > > > walk in these crazy shoes? Will the shoes be any

> easier

> > for

> > > > him to walk in???

> > > >

> > > > He started walking when he was 10 months old and wants to

> > continue to

> > > > walk desperately. But it is near impossible with the Mercell

> > shoes. I

> > > > am hoping the s will be easier. Am I all wet?? Or do

> > these

> > > > little guys figure it out after a while?

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for that tip about the gold bar. I'm going to call our

orthotist about getting it. Just in case it takes a while to get the

Michells. I called the numbers that I found on this site and none of

them worked. I was happy to see that there is a new number to call

for them tonight.

> > > > My son is 16 months old and is currently in the Mercell

shoes

> > (yuck).

> > > > I am hoping to get the s soon.

> > > >

> > > > My question is, are there any other little ones out there

that

> > can

> > > > walk in these crazy shoes? Will the shoes be any

> easier

> > for

> > > > him to walk in???

> > > >

> > > > He started walking when he was 10 months old and wants to

> > continue to

> > > > walk desperately. But it is near impossible with the Mercell

> > shoes. I

> > > > am hoping the s will be easier. Am I all wet?? Or do

> > these

> > > > little guys figure it out after a while?

>

[Guest guest]

I don't get it either. Especially with older babies that are going

to try to walk. It is dangerous.

> > > > > > My son is 16 months old and is currently in the Mercell

> shoes

> > > > (yuck).

> > > > > > I am hoping to get the s soon.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > My question is, are there any other little ones out

there

> that

> > > > can

> > > > > > walk in these crazy shoes? Will the shoes be any

> > >easier

> > > > for

> > > > > > him to walk in???

> > > > > >

> > > > > > He started walking when he was 10 months old and wants to

> > > > continue to

> > > > > > walk desperately. But it is near impossible with the

Mercell

> > > > shoes. I

> > > > > > am hoping the s will be easier. Am I all wet??

Or do

> > > > these

> > > > > > little guys figure it out after a while?

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

I don't get it either. Especially with older babies that are going

to try to walk. It is dangerous.

> > > > > > My son is 16 months old and is currently in the Mercell

> shoes

> > > > (yuck).

> > > > > > I am hoping to get the s soon.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > My question is, are there any other little ones out

there

> that

> > > > can

> > > > > > walk in these crazy shoes? Will the shoes be any

> > >easier

> > > > for

> > > > > > him to walk in???

> > > > > >

> > > > > > He started walking when he was 10 months old and wants to

> > > > continue to

> > > > > > walk desperately. But it is near impossible with the

Mercell

> > > > shoes. I

> > > > > > am hoping the s will be easier. Am I all wet??

Or do

> > > > these

> > > > > > little guys figure it out after a while?

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

I figure that they must not have kids because they just don't sound

like they get it! We lucked out with our Orthotist, she has right

unilateral and is just wonderful! I didn't even know that the

Markell's didn't come with a hole cut in them (now they do) until

recently, she cuts a hole in all the shoes so you can see if the heel

is down, gotta love her!

& Grace

> > > > > > > My son is 16 months old and is currently in the Mercell

> > shoes

> > > > > (yuck).

> > > > > > > I am hoping to get the s soon.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > My question is, are there any other little ones out

> there

> > that

> > > > > can

> > > > > > > walk in these crazy shoes? Will the shoes be

any

> > > >easier

> > > > > for

> > > > > > > him to walk in???

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > He started walking when he was 10 months old and wants

to

> > > > > continue to

> > > > > > > walk desperately. But it is near impossible with the

> Mercell

> > > > > shoes. I

> > > > > > > am hoping the s will be easier. Am I all wet??

> Or do

> > > > > these

> > > > > > > little guys figure it out after a while?

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

I figure that they must not have kids because they just don't sound

like they get it! We lucked out with our Orthotist, she has right

unilateral and is just wonderful! I didn't even know that the

Markell's didn't come with a hole cut in them (now they do) until

recently, she cuts a hole in all the shoes so you can see if the heel

is down, gotta love her!

& Grace

> > > > > > > My son is 16 months old and is currently in the Mercell

> > shoes

> > > > > (yuck).

> > > > > > > I am hoping to get the s soon.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > My question is, are there any other little ones out

> there

> > that

> > > > > can

> > > > > > > walk in these crazy shoes? Will the shoes be

any

> > > >easier

> > > > > for

> > > > > > > him to walk in???

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > He started walking when he was 10 months old and wants

to

> > > > > continue to

> > > > > > > walk desperately. But it is near impossible with the

> Mercell

> > > > > shoes. I

> > > > > > > am hoping the s will be easier. Am I all wet??

> Or do

> > > > > these

> > > > > > > little guys figure it out after a while?

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

Hole Choppers Unite!

I don't know Kori....sounds kinda scary...

[Guest guest]

Hole Choppers Unite!

I don't know Kori....sounds kinda scary...