Re: Need help responding to all the stares and questions!

[Guest guest]

Honestly, if people stare, that is the last of my concerns. I don't even notice.

If I did pay attention to others and they were obviously staring at us, I would

just stare at them right back. I would think that would make them uncomfortable

enough to advert their gaze elsewhere.

>

> It has been quite an emotional journey learning that our son has plagiocephaly

and torticollus. From the doctors & therapists to the fittings and adjustments

of the DOC Band and he isn't even 6 months old!

> So my son has been wearing his band for a week now and I still can't get over

how many people stop me just to ask, " What is wrong with him? " " Why does he

have that thing on his head? " " Were you in a car accident and that is why he is

wearing that helmet? " All the stares and questions are making me irritable when

all I really want to do is continue with out normal daily routine. So, I want

to know how you answer all the questions that you are bombarded with. Do you

take the time to tell each person, do you tell them a silly answer like,

" Football injury " and keep walking? Don't people know it is rude to stare?!

>

[Guest guest]

My daughter has had hers for 2 months, she was 6 mths when it got put on. It

drove me crazy when people stared and what they said! Its funny, now when I see

people stare, I think they are staing cause she is cute and forget all about the

helmet. When peopled asked about it I came up with a one line to tell people.

" She has a flat spot on her head and the helmet is to round it out " if they are

nice I will explain more but typically I feel better cause I dont have to

explain it so much and it makes them not ask anymore. It does get better, just

try to keep your head up, you know your doing this for the right reasons and

that is what is important.

>

> It has been quite an emotional journey learning that our son has plagiocephaly

and torticollus. From the doctors & therapists to the fittings and adjustments

of the DOC Band and he isn't even 6 months old!

> So my son has been wearing his band for a week now and I still can't get over

how many people stop me just to ask, " What is wrong with him? " " Why does he

have that thing on his head? " " Were you in a car accident and that is why he is

wearing that helmet? " All the stares and questions are making me irritable when

all I really want to do is continue with out normal daily routine. So, I want

to know how you answer all the questions that you are bombarded with. Do you

take the time to tell each person, do you tell them a silly answer like,

" Football injury " and keep walking? Don't people know it is rude to stare?!

>

[Guest guest]

I agree that sometimes I am sensitive to it & other times I don't even notice.

I've decided to use it as a learning opportunity. I even contacted our local

newspaper & invited them to do a story on Macy & her band & Plagio in general.

I'm hoping to get the word out.

Basically, I've mostly answered " she was born with a flat spot on her head &

this is helping it round out " but sometimes I go into details.

Honestly, I only dread taking her out when we are in a hurry because each outing

takes at least 5 minutes longer with people stopping to talk to us.

When I explain what it is I've had nothing but excellent feedback.

Macy-Doc Band at 4m3w - in it for 2 weeks

> >

> > It has been quite an emotional journey learning that our son has

plagiocephaly and torticollus. From the doctors & therapists to the fittings

and adjustments of the DOC Band and he isn't even 6 months old!

> > So my son has been wearing his band for a week now and I still can't get

over how many people stop me just to ask, " What is wrong with him? " " Why does

he have that thing on his head? " " Were you in a car accident and that is why he

is wearing that helmet? " All the stares and questions are making me irritable

when all I really want to do is continue with out normal daily routine. So, I

want to know how you answer all the questions that you are bombarded with. Do

you take the time to tell each person, do you tell them a silly answer like,

" Football injury " and keep walking? Don't people know it is rude to stare?!

> >

>

[Guest guest]

hiMy son Charlie has plagio and has had the helmet on for 3 months now.Loads of people come up to us and ask about it because not many peoplehave seen them before (liverpool - england)We tell them about his flatness at the back and how it will help to round it out.People are interested in it which is fair enough.The people who annoy me are the ones who say to others "its because the baby bangs his head and its to protect him" that really bugs me. :(DanFrom: l_peaches <L_peaches@...>Plagiocephaly Sent: Sunday, 8 November, 2009 5:55:03Subject: Re: Need help responding to all the stares and questions!

My daughter has had hers for 2 months, she was 6 mths when it got put on. It drove me crazy when people stared and what they said! Its funny, now when I see people stare, I think they are staing cause she is cute and forget all about the helmet. When peopled asked about it I came up with a one line to tell people. "She has a flat spot on her head and the helmet is to round it out" if they are nice I will explain more but typically I feel better cause I dont have to explain it so much and it makes them not ask anymore. It does get better, just try to keep your head up, you know your doing this for the right reasons and that is what is important.

>

> It has been quite an emotional journey learning that our son has plagiocephaly and torticollus. From the doctors & therapists to the fittings and adjustments of the DOC Band and he isn't even 6 months old!

> So my son has been wearing his band for a week now and I still can't get over how many people stop me just to ask, "What is wrong with him?" "Why does he have that thing on his head?" "Were you in a car accident and that is why he is wearing that helmet?" All the stares and questions are making me irritable when all I really want to do is continue with out normal daily routine. So, I want to know how you answer all the questions that you are bombarded with. Do you take the time to tell each person, do you tell them a silly answer like, "Football injury" and keep walking? Don't people know it is rude to stare?!

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, some people say the rudest things. Luckily it hasn't happened to us yet

(although it's only been two weeks). We have only had one person (a cashier) ask

" does he have to wear that? " . She didn't say it rudely, she was curious and I

explained to her what it was about. Strangely though he still gets attention,

especially with his curly hair like before. It's as if people are going out of

their way to avoid the obvious but still want to be nice. But I really do feel

for you!

I have to agree with the others who recommend decorating the band, have you done

that yet? Nothing fancy even, just some scrapbook stickers, they tend to be the

easiest to work with, but probably any sticker is fine. Target has very cute

ones. Putting his name, or something cute or funny on there is a real

icebreaker. We are on his second round of stickers, and my 3 yr old daughter

helps pick out the designs. You will find plenty of decorating tips if you

search the posts! I am going with the flow and having fun with it.

Being a plagio parent takes a thick skin and a tough soul. I have decided to

embrace it and be very straighforward to people about it if they show interest.

Hopefully I will still feel that way when I get a rude question! Hang in there.

-Sara

>

> It has been quite an emotional journey learning that our son has plagiocephaly

and torticollus. From the doctors & therapists to the fittings and adjustments

of the DOC Band and he isn't even 6 months old!

> So my son has been wearing his band for a week now and I still can't get over

how many people stop me just to ask, " What is wrong with him? " " Why does he

have that thing on his head? " " Were you in a car accident and that is why he is

wearing that helmet? " All the stares and questions are making me irritable when

all I really want to do is continue with out normal daily routine. So, I want

to know how you answer all the questions that you are bombarded with. Do you

take the time to tell each person, do you tell them a silly answer like,

" Football injury " and keep walking? Don't people know it is rude to stare?!

>