Up with Down Syndrome
by Jodi Skinner
by Jodi Skinner
It had been five years since we had a child, and we were not planning to have more children. We already have two daughters, Lydia and Alecia, and that was enough in my opinion. I knew it was risky having a child in my 40s. However, I loved being pregnant, and my daughters kept saying, "We want a baby brother!"
I became pregnant and the baby was due in June 2009. When I had my first ultrasound, my husband, Alan, and I knew the child was going to be disabled. He showed some signs of Down syndrome: big toe separated from the other toes, loose skin on the back of the neck. The doctors noticed a hole in his heart as well. But a boy was just what the girls had asked for.
Focus: Adaptive Equipment
Standing is one of the most beneficial things your child can do in order to maximize her physical development, cognitive development and health. A previous article described the various benefits of standing, so those won't be repeated here. Instead, this article will list the type of standers available, including specifications on currently available models.
How hard can bathing a kid be? Well, if your kid has medical issues, motor impairments, or medical technology, it can be surprisingly hard. And if your child has all three, it can be downright impossible.
This article will describe all the various ways you can bathe a child with complex medical issues, suggesting the pros and cons of each system. First we will tackle the issue of getting your child into the bath or shower, and then we will discuss the available styles of bath chairs, shower chairs, and adapted bathtubs.
My son, Hunter, doesn't enjoy spending a lot of time in his wheelchair. After an hour he starts to get antsy and wants to be able to stretch out and move. Other than the Tumble Forms Feeder Seat, he wants to be on the floor and stretching out and kicking.
I made him a mat when he was about two years old that was great for him. I took a queen sized foam mattress topper from Bed Bath and Beyond (don't forget you can use the 20% coupons in the store!) and folded it in half. I wrapped it in a plastic mattress cover, taped it snug so it was tight on the foam, and then sewed a camouflage cover for it.
by Dawn Klepinger
My son, Hunter, loves to move. Whether it's sitting in his Tumble Forms Feeder Seat and wiggling around, or swinging inside or outside in his swings, he loves motion! If your child is a mover and shaker like mine, these two products might be of interest to you.
Specialty Article
Creating an ER Protocol for Your Child
To Sign or Not to Sign: What to Look for in Medical Release Forms
As we all know, going to the Emergency Room involves a lot of sitting around and waiting, even if your child is very ill. Children with serious medical conditions may have their health and safety negatively impacted by waiting periods, and may become very sick if the appropriate interventions are not provided quickly. In order to streamline the process and get your child the care he needs quickly, it is best to have an official ER protocol for your child.
Feature Article
by Karen Scallan
Taking care to insure the privacy of your personal medical information is important. Here are some tips for releasing information to various entities and what you should look for when signing medical release forms. These forms allow one doctor, hospital, school, or other organization to release your child's medical information to another organization.