It's Been a Weird Week

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Last weekend, Faith seemed to be struggling with a cold. On Sunday morning, I thought she had slept it off, but unfortunately, it hit full force that evening. Because she was so stuffed up, and had a lot of drainage, she did not sleep well that night. I tried to put her adjustable bed up as much as I could, but it still wasn't enough. Around 3 in the morning I put her in her chair where she slept for a few hours. After I put her back into bed, her sleep was still pretty disruptive. Finally, around 8:30 she had had enough and just wanted to get up for the day.  On Monday, we called to cancel her Tuesday therapy sessions. She was bummed about having to miss aquatic therapy and occupational therapy but took it well. I was trying my best to help her feel better by giving her nose spray (which she was actually asking for), keeping her humidifier going, and also doing this face mask thing that makes steam so that she can breathe it in. She calls it her inhaler.  On Wednesday, she ...
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Making Faith's Orthotics

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This week Faith had two appointments. One of them consisted of getting her fitted for new orthotics, which by the way are also called AFOs or SMOs. The whole process took over an hour and Faith did great the whole time! She loved seeing her physical therapist again, whom she doesn't see on a regular basis anymore because she gets all of her PT at school. 

As the therapists worked hard to get the molding on her feet just right, they asked Faith what color of padding she wanted, what color she wanted for her straps, and if she wanted a picture on the back. Faith responded, "You can never have too many accessories!"

Jackie and another physical therapist work to get the molding just right for Faith's long, skinny feet.

The therapists have to repeatedly fit Faith's foot in the mold, make some adjustments and fit it again. They did this several times before finally getting it perfect.

Next, it's time for Tate from MedEquip to come and do his thing which is wrapping Faiths' leg in casting material to get the general shape of the orthotic.

Tate has to squeeze really hard to set the molding in place for Faith's foot.

It's important for Faith to be as relaxed as possible during the fitting but here she is uncomfortable because she's fighting hard against her tone.

Finally, the last step takes place as Tate cuts away the casting. He will then take the orthotics to his shop to finish putting them together.

The final product will be an orthotic with pink and purple padding, purple straps and a picture of a yellow butterfly on the back, all which Faith picked out herself. After Tate puts them together, it is a matter of seeing how they fit and then possibly making some adjustments so that they fit her as best they can. I will be sure to post a photo of what the final product looks like.

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It's Been a Weird Week

-
Image
Last weekend, Faith seemed to be struggling with a cold. On Sunday morning, I thought she had slept it off, but unfortunately, it hit full force that evening. Because she was so stuffed up, and had a lot of drainage, she did not sleep well that night. I tried to put her adjustable bed up as much as I could, but it still wasn't enough. Around 3 in the morning I put her in her chair where she slept for a few hours. After I put her back into bed, her sleep was still pretty disruptive. Finally, around 8:30 she had had enough and just wanted to get up for the day.  On Monday, we called to cancel her Tuesday therapy sessions. She was bummed about having to miss aquatic therapy and occupational therapy but took it well. I was trying my best to help her feel better by giving her nose spray (which she was actually asking for), keeping her humidifier going, and also doing this face mask thing that makes steam so that she can breathe it in. She calls it her inhaler.  On Wednesday, she ...
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