Dont keep quiet, tell everyone.

[Guest guest]

Hello again. Ive had great info from this site about my granddaughters tort and

plagio , its much appreciated. The purpose of this post though is to recount an

incident that happened about 6 or 7 months ago. I accompanied my 6mths ish

pregnant daughter to an Ikea in London for her to look at something or other. I

amused myself studying all the prams that passed, as we were deciding what buggy

to buy. As I tilted my head to one side to read down the handle of one which was

paused, side on to me, I became aware of the Mum saying in a slightly annoyed

tone, 'yes, hes wearing a helmet- hes got a flat head,ok?' Embarrassed I saw

that in the buggy was a baby indeed with a helmet . She wasnt to know I hadnt

been staring at her baby - I hadnt even seen him infact . The point is, if she

had engaged me in conversation instead of walking off, my granddaughter might

not be in the position of needing a helmet today . That Mum in deciding on a

helmet, must presumably have done all the research, and knew all about

positioning , early diagnosis and physio etc, but she was too wrapped up in her

own discomfort about it, to say anything. As for me, Id never heard of flat

heads or helmets and just thought what a shame that little baby has a problem -

and then dismissed it from my mind.

If and when my granddaughter gets her helmet, I swear , anyone who so much as

comes near us will get a friendly welcome and as much information and warnings

pumped into them as they can handle . Please , I know it must be hard when you

think your poor little mite is being stared at , but DO DO DO use the

opportunity to get the message across that wil possibly help another baby.

[Guest guest]

>

> Hello again. Ive had great info from this site about my granddaughters tort

and plagio , its much appreciated. The purpose of this post though is to recount

an incident that happened about 6 or 7 months ago. I accompanied my 6mths ish

pregnant daughter to an Ikea in London for her to look at something or other. I

amused myself studying all the prams that passed, as we were deciding what buggy

to buy. As I tilted my head to one side to read down the handle of one which was

paused, side on to me, I became aware of the Mum saying in a slightly annoyed

tone, 'yes, hes wearing a helmet- hes got a flat head,ok?' Embarrassed I saw

that in the buggy was a baby indeed with a helmet . She wasnt to know I hadnt

been staring at her baby - I hadnt even seen him infact . The point is, if she

had engaged me in conversation instead of walking off, my granddaughter might

not be in the position of needing a helmet today . That Mum in deciding on a

helmet, must presumably have done all the research, and knew all about

positioning , early diagnosis and physio etc, but she was too wrapped up in her

own discomfort about it, to say anything. As for me, Id never heard of flat

heads or helmets and just thought what a shame that little baby has a problem -

and then dismissed it from my mind.

> If and when my granddaughter gets her helmet, I swear , anyone who so much as

comes near us will get a friendly welcome and as much information and warnings

pumped into them as they can handle . Please , I know it must be hard when you

think your poor little mite is being stared at , but DO DO DO use the

opportunity to get the message across that wil possibly help another baby.

>

well i agree she shouldnt have jumped the gun! im always really careful though

when it comes to other people....people are rude. i actually have never seen a

child in a helmet before and if i did i wouldnt have thought anything really

about it. i might wonder but i would never look down on a child for anything in

this sort.

i was in wal mart the other day and i saw a little boy whos legs and arms and

hands were big and swollen. i know this is a condition i couldnt help but just

watch him as tears started to fill my eyes. it killed me!!!! i couldnt sleep all

night. i was trying not to stare at him and i wasnt or anthing but oh god it

seriously killed me. he looked so happy and his parents looked ok....i just felt

so bad for him....

i was taking my son to the phsical therapist for his neck, thinking 'i bet they

tell me he needs a helmet....please god dont tell me he needs a helmet....' as

im thinking this theres a little girl, sitting at the table in the PT waiting

room. she was ADORABLE of course, and she was coloring and laughing....saying

" MOM look! " i smiled as i watched her. i was so nervous dreading the 'helmet

talk' with the Ptherapist....when the girl stood up i noticed she had a

prostetic(sp) leg...and i thought shame on myself for dreading a measly helmet

when this little innocent child had lost her leg.....

you are right maybe your daughter wouldnt hafta wear a helmet if that woman

wouldnt have jumped the gun...but thats how it happened and be thankful its not

something worse.

[Guest guest]

Youre right of course Kennacute, there are things very very much worse than having a child helmeted , and if my post seemed whingy or accusing, it certainly wasnt intentional . I was just  pointing out how a simple interaction with someone who directly or otherwise comes into contact with your helmeted child can be such a wonderful opportunity to prevent another child having to wear a helmet . I thought it might encourage Mums who are feeling shy or uncomfortable about their baby being stared at, to feel good about sharing their knowledge.

 

 

On Thu, May 21, 2009 at 7:18 PM, kennacute95 <kennacute95@...> wrote:

>> Hello again. Ive had great info from this site about my granddaughters tort and plagio , its much appreciated. The purpose of this post though is to recount an incident that happened about 6 or 7 months ago. I accompanied my 6mths ish pregnant daughter to an Ikea in London for her to look at something or other. I amused myself studying all the prams that passed, as we were deciding what buggy to buy. As I tilted my head to one side to read down the handle of one which was paused, side on to me, I became aware of the Mum saying in a slightly annoyed tone, 'yes, hes wearing a helmet- hes got a flat head,ok?' Embarrassed I saw that in the buggy was a baby indeed with a helmet . She wasnt to know I hadnt been staring at her baby - I hadnt even seen him infact . The point is, if she had engaged me in conversation instead of walking off, my granddaughter might not be in the position of needing a helmet today . That Mum in deciding on a helmet, must presumably have done all the research, and knew all about positioning , early diagnosis and physio etc, but she was too wrapped up in her own discomfort about it, to say anything. As for me, Id never heard of flat heads or helmets and just thought what a shame that little baby has a problem - and then dismissed it from my mind.

> If and when my granddaughter gets her helmet, I swear , anyone who so much as comes near us will get a friendly welcome and as much information and warnings pumped into them as they can handle . Please , I know it must be hard when you think your poor little mite is being stared at , but DO DO DO use the opportunity to get the message across that wil possibly help another baby.

>well i agree she shouldnt have jumped the gun! im always really careful though when it comes to other people....people are rude. i actually have never seen a child in a helmet before and if i did i wouldnt have thought anything really about it. i might wonder but i would never look down on a child for anything in this sort.

i was in wal mart the other day and i saw a little boy whos legs and arms and hands were big and swollen. i know this is a condition i couldnt help but just watch him as tears started to fill my eyes. it killed me!!!! i couldnt sleep all night. i was trying not to stare at him and i wasnt or anthing but oh god it seriously killed me. he looked so happy and his parents looked ok....i just felt so bad for him....

i was taking my son to the phsical therapist for his neck, thinking 'i bet they tell me he needs a helmet....please god dont tell me he needs a helmet....' as im thinking this theres a little girl, sitting at the table in the PT waiting room. she was ADORABLE of course, and she was coloring and laughing....saying " MOM look! " i smiled as i watched her. i was so nervous dreading the 'helmet talk' with the Ptherapist....when the girl stood up i noticed she had a prostetic(sp) leg...and i thought shame on myself for dreading a measly helmet when this little innocent child had lost her leg.....

you are right maybe your daughter wouldnt hafta wear a helmet if that woman wouldnt have jumped the gun...but thats how it happened and be thankful its not something worse.

[Guest guest]

No need for apology, honestly - I just wanted to explain .  Im sure youll feel a bit as though you and your baby have got a huge luminous arrow pointing down on you when you go out for the first time , but I bet he'll look cute as a button anyway, and after a couple of times, you wont even think twice - until someone stares or asks you a question ---and then you just grab 'em and happily stuff them with information lol !! Good luck.

 

On Thu, May 21, 2009 at 11:10 PM, kennacute95 <kennacute95@...> wrote:

oh goodness no! i didnt think you sounded whiney! like i said i was literally dreading them telling me that he needed the helmet i was praying they wouldnt! i think you are completely right. i am the kind of person who would dwell on the fact that that woman could have changed everything i just thought maybe you would feel better to hear about the little girl with the prosthetic leg, it made me realize maybe the hekmet wasnt so bad. we are going to get his helmet next wednesday, and i am terrified.....i really dont want to take him in public with it on. ive only seen pictures of babies with the helmet i still havent seen a baby in person with one.

im sorry again i wasnt trying to sound rude i in no way thought you sounded 'whiney' and i apologize. > > >> > > Hello again. Ive had great info from this site about my granddaughters> > tort and plagio , its much appreciated. The purpose of this post though is

> > to recount an incident that happened about 6 or 7 months ago. I accompanied> > my 6mths ish pregnant daughter to an Ikea in London for her to look at> > something or other. I amused myself studying all the prams that passed, as

> > we were deciding what buggy to buy. As I tilted my head to one side to read> > down the handle of one which was paused, side on to me, I became aware of> > the Mum saying in a slightly annoyed tone, 'yes, hes wearing a helmet- hes

> > got a flat head,ok?' Embarrassed I saw that in the buggy was a baby indeed> > with a helmet . She wasnt to know I hadnt been staring at her baby - I hadnt> > even seen him infact . The point is, if she had engaged me in conversation

> > instead of walking off, my granddaughter might not be in the position of> > needing a helmet today . That Mum in deciding on a helmet, must presumably> > have done all the research, and knew all about positioning , early diagnosis

> > and physio etc, but she was too wrapped up in her own discomfort about it,> > to say anything. As for me, Id never heard of flat heads or helmets and just> > thought what a shame that little baby has a problem - and then dismissed it

> > from my mind.> > > If and when my granddaughter gets her helmet, I swear , anyone who so> > much as comes near us will get a friendly welcome and as much information> > and warnings pumped into them as they can handle . Please , I know it must

> > be hard when you think your poor little mite is being stared at , but DO DO> > DO use the opportunity to get the message across that wil possibly help> > another baby.> > >> >

> > well i agree she shouldnt have jumped the gun! im always really careful> > though when it comes to other people....people are rude. i actually have> > never seen a child in a helmet before and if i did i wouldnt have thought

> > anything really about it. i might wonder but i would never look down on a> > child for anything in this sort.> >> > i was in wal mart the other day and i saw a little boy whos legs and arms

> > and hands were big and swollen. i know this is a condition i couldnt help> > but just watch him as tears started to fill my eyes. it killed me!!!! i> > couldnt sleep all night. i was trying not to stare at him and i wasnt or

> > anthing but oh god it seriously killed me. he looked so happy and his> > parents looked ok....i just felt so bad for him....> >> > i was taking my son to the phsical therapist for his neck, thinking 'i bet

> > they tell me he needs a helmet....please god dont tell me he needs a> > helmet....' as im thinking this theres a little girl, sitting at the table> > in the PT waiting room. she was ADORABLE of course, and she was coloring and

> > laughing....saying " MOM look! " i smiled as i watched her. i was so nervous> > dreading the 'helmet talk' with the Ptherapist....when the girl stood up i> > noticed she had a prostetic(sp) leg...and i thought shame on myself for

> > dreading a measly helmet when this little innocent child had lost her> > leg.....> >> > you are right maybe your daughter wouldnt hafta wear a helmet if that woman> > wouldnt have jumped the gun...but thats how it happened and be thankful its

> > not something worse.> >> > > >>

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to say that I LOVE your attitude and hope others follow your advice Pam.  When the doctors themselves are seemingly poorly educated about this we need to be advocates and help other parents out.

 

In public we get stared at enough because there's twins, so adding the helmet to the mix wasn't much more to get used to.  I haven't had a real negative experience yet as most people are genuinely curious about it.  It has been a great opportunity to talk to people about tort and plagio and many have been thankful when I have because their child is either facing the same issues or they know a kid who is.  With a little information they can go beat up their doctor and get the ball rolling for a proper evaluations. 

 

I think my favorite conversations are when other mothers stop us with their preschoolers and say " He had a helmet for 4 months so I understand exactly what you're going through.  I just wanted to let you know it was all worth it.  As you can see his head is just perfect now! "   I plan to do that with my girls every time I happen by a helmeted baby from here on out too.  We're all grateful that tort and plagio/brachy are fixable conditions, but that doesn't make it any less difficult to deal with.  Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel helps SO much!

 

Elaine (twin A) tort & plagio, 1 yr, 2nd helmet since 1/5/09

MI

On Thu, May 21, 2009 at 7:35 PM, Pamela Green <green.pamela@...> wrote:

No need for apology, honestly - I just wanted to explain .  Im sure youll feel a bit as though you and your baby have got a huge luminous arrow pointing down on you when you go out for the first time , but I bet he'll look cute as a button anyway, and after a couple of times, you wont even think twice - until someone stares or asks you a question ---and then you just grab 'em and happily stuff them with information lol !! Good luck.

 

On Thu, May 21, 2009 at 11:10 PM, kennacute95 <kennacute95@...> wrote:

oh goodness no! i didnt think you sounded whiney! like i said i was literally dreading them telling me that he needed the helmet i was praying they wouldnt! i think you are completely right. i am the kind of person who would dwell on the fact that that woman could have changed everything i just thought maybe you would feel better to hear about the little girl with the prosthetic leg, it made me realize maybe the hekmet wasnt so bad. we are going to get his helmet next wednesday, and i am terrified.....i really dont want to take him in public with it on. ive only seen pictures of babies with the helmet i still havent seen a baby in person with one.

im sorry again i wasnt trying to sound rude i in no way thought you sounded 'whiney' and i apologize. > > >> > > Hello again. Ive had great info from this site about my granddaughters> > tort and plagio , its much appreciated. The purpose of this post though is

> > to recount an incident that happened about 6 or 7 months ago. I accompanied> > my 6mths ish pregnant daughter to an Ikea in London for her to look at> > something or other. I amused myself studying all the prams that passed, as

> > we were deciding what buggy to buy. As I tilted my head to one side to read> > down the handle of one which was paused, side on to me, I became aware of> > the Mum saying in a slightly annoyed tone, 'yes, hes wearing a helmet- hes

> > got a flat head,ok?' Embarrassed I saw that in the buggy was a baby indeed> > with a helmet . She wasnt to know I hadnt been staring at her baby - I hadnt> > even seen him infact . The point is, if she had engaged me in conversation

> > instead of walking off, my granddaughter might not be in the position of> > needing a helmet today . That Mum in deciding on a helmet, must presumably> > have done all the research, and knew all about positioning , early diagnosis

> > and physio etc, but she was too wrapped up in her own discomfort about it,> > to say anything. As for me, Id never heard of flat heads or helmets and just> > thought what a shame that little baby has a problem - and then dismissed it

> > from my mind.> > > If and when my granddaughter gets her helmet, I swear , anyone who so> > much as comes near us will get a friendly welcome and as much information> > and warnings pumped into them as they can handle . Please , I know it must

> > be hard when you think your poor little mite is being stared at , but DO DO> > DO use the opportunity to get the message across that wil possibly help> > another baby.> > >> >

> > well i agree she shouldnt have jumped the gun! im always really careful> > though when it comes to other people....people are rude. i actually have> > never seen a child in a helmet before and if i did i wouldnt have thought

> > anything really about it. i might wonder but i would never look down on a> > child for anything in this sort.> >> > i was in wal mart the other day and i saw a little boy whos legs and arms

> > and hands were big and swollen. i know this is a condition i couldnt help> > but just watch him as tears started to fill my eyes. it killed me!!!! i> > couldnt sleep all night. i was trying not to stare at him and i wasnt or

> > anthing but oh god it seriously killed me. he looked so happy and his> > parents looked ok....i just felt so bad for him....> >> > i was taking my son to the phsical therapist for his neck, thinking 'i bet

> > they tell me he needs a helmet....please god dont tell me he needs a> > helmet....' as im thinking this theres a little girl, sitting at the table> > in the PT waiting room. she was ADORABLE of course, and she was coloring and

> > laughing....saying " MOM look! " i smiled as i watched her. i was so nervous> > dreading the 'helmet talk' with the Ptherapist....when the girl stood up i> > noticed she had a prostetic(sp) leg...and i thought shame on myself for

> > dreading a measly helmet when this little innocent child had lost her> > leg.....> >> > you are right maybe your daughter wouldnt hafta wear a helmet if that woman> > wouldnt have jumped the gun...but thats how it happened and be thankful its

> > not something worse.> >> > > >>

[Guest guest]

Yay! Lets get out there and spread the word!!!!!!!!

On Fri, May 22, 2009 at 2:27 PM, Lina Gabriev <lina.gabriev@...> wrote:

I just wanted to say that I LOVE your attitude and hope others follow your advice Pam.  When the doctors themselves are seemingly poorly educated about this we need to be advocates and help other parents out.

 

In public we get stared at enough because there's twins, so adding the helmet to the mix wasn't much more to get used to.  I haven't had a real negative experience yet as most people are genuinely curious about it.  It has been a great opportunity to talk to people about tort and plagio and many have been thankful when I have because their child is either facing the same issues or they know a kid who is.  With a little information they can go beat up their doctor and get the ball rolling for a proper evaluations. 

 

I think my favorite conversations are when other mothers stop us with their preschoolers and say " He had a helmet for 4 months so I understand exactly what you're going through.  I just wanted to let you know it was all worth it.  As you can see his head is just perfect now! "   I plan to do that with my girls every time I happen by a helmeted baby from here on out too.  We're all grateful that tort and plagio/brachy are fixable conditions, but that doesn't make it any less difficult to deal with.  Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel helps SO much!

 

Elaine (twin A) tort & plagio, 1 yr, 2nd helmet since 1/5/09

MI

On Thu, May 21, 2009 at 7:35 PM, Pamela Green <green.pamela@...> wrote:

No need for apology, honestly - I just wanted to explain .  Im sure youll feel a bit as though you and your baby have got a huge luminous arrow pointing down on you when you go out for the first time , but I bet he'll look cute as a button anyway, and after a couple of times, you wont even think twice - until someone stares or asks you a question ---and then you just grab 'em and happily stuff them with information lol !! Good luck.

 

On Thu, May 21, 2009 at 11:10 PM, kennacute95 <kennacute95@...> wrote:

oh goodness no! i didnt think you sounded whiney! like i said i was literally dreading them telling me that he needed the helmet i was praying they wouldnt! i think you are completely right. i am the kind of person who would dwell on the fact that that woman could have changed everything i just thought maybe you would feel better to hear about the little girl with the prosthetic leg, it made me realize maybe the hekmet wasnt so bad. we are going to get his helmet next wednesday, and i am terrified.....i really dont want to take him in public with it on. ive only seen pictures of babies with the helmet i still havent seen a baby in person with one.

im sorry again i wasnt trying to sound rude i in no way thought you sounded 'whiney' and i apologize. > > >> > > Hello again. Ive had great info from this site about my granddaughters> > tort and plagio , its much appreciated. The purpose of this post though is

> > to recount an incident that happened about 6 or 7 months ago. I accompanied> > my 6mths ish pregnant daughter to an Ikea in London for her to look at> > something or other. I amused myself studying all the prams that passed, as

> > we were deciding what buggy to buy. As I tilted my head to one side to read> > down the handle of one which was paused, side on to me, I became aware of> > the Mum saying in a slightly annoyed tone, 'yes, hes wearing a helmet- hes

> > got a flat head,ok?' Embarrassed I saw that in the buggy was a baby indeed> > with a helmet . She wasnt to know I hadnt been staring at her baby - I hadnt> > even seen him infact . The point is, if she had engaged me in conversation

> > instead of walking off, my granddaughter might not be in the position of> > needing a helmet today . That Mum in deciding on a helmet, must presumably> > have done all the research, and knew all about positioning , early diagnosis

> > and physio etc, but she was too wrapped up in her own discomfort about it,> > to say anything. As for me, Id never heard of flat heads or helmets and just> > thought what a shame that little baby has a problem - and then dismissed it

> > from my mind.> > > If and when my granddaughter gets her helmet, I swear , anyone who so> > much as comes near us will get a friendly welcome and as much information> > and warnings pumped into them as they can handle . Please , I know it must

> > be hard when you think your poor little mite is being stared at , but DO DO> > DO use the opportunity to get the message across that wil possibly help> > another baby.> > >> >

> > well i agree she shouldnt have jumped the gun! im always really careful> > though when it comes to other people....people are rude. i actually have> > never seen a child in a helmet before and if i did i wouldnt have thought

> > anything really about it. i might wonder but i would never look down on a> > child for anything in this sort.> >> > i was in wal mart the other day and i saw a little boy whos legs and arms

> > and hands were big and swollen. i know this is a condition i couldnt help> > but just watch him as tears started to fill my eyes. it killed me!!!! i> > couldnt sleep all night. i was trying not to stare at him and i wasnt or

> > anthing but oh god it seriously killed me. he looked so happy and his> > parents looked ok....i just felt so bad for him....> >> > i was taking my son to the phsical therapist for his neck, thinking 'i bet

> > they tell me he needs a helmet....please god dont tell me he needs a> > helmet....' as im thinking this theres a little girl, sitting at the table> > in the PT waiting room. she was ADORABLE of course, and she was coloring and

> > laughing....saying " MOM look! " i smiled as i watched her. i was so nervous> > dreading the 'helmet talk' with the Ptherapist....when the girl stood up i> > noticed she had a prostetic(sp) leg...and i thought shame on myself for

> > dreading a measly helmet when this little innocent child had lost her> > leg.....> >> > you are right maybe your daughter wouldnt hafta wear a helmet if that woman> > wouldnt have jumped the gun...but thats how it happened and be thankful its

> > not something worse.> >> > > >>