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Braces

Thistle

Veteran

Taking DD2 down today to have her little feet fit for braces. She is finally walking after 8 weeks of therapy, but she pronates badly.

The doctor says we need to fix this now or her little muscles could grow that way.

While I'm nervous about the braces, I am dreading finding the doctor with DD2 in tow. There is only one place in the area that will fit kids as young as her, and it's on a medical complex as big as my college. Add to that, I have to take off of work to do it (they are only open 8-5, of course) and I have 45+ minutes in the car each way to get there.

And once they make them for her, I have to make her wear them every day. So, yeah, I'll have to go back and get them.

I'm hoping it won't be so bad, and she's young enough the other kids won't tease her yet.

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18 replies

Latest reply was from Nishaa

JAileen

Veteran

My brother had to have leg braces for about a year because one foot turned in. He was quite young, barely walking. He did very well with them and in high school he became a good athlete, lettering in three sports.

Best of luck to you!

Eliza

Veteran

So tough to see your little one go through medical challenges. If I can be at all reassuring, our DD had multiple, complex ortho issues as a young teen. She needed to have several back braces fit, navigate junior high with this bulky apparatus, etc. She had body hugging molds of her entire torso made. The people who did this were amazing. They know their craft and how to finesse the process with patients of any age. With a very young one, I have seen these things become routine fast, like being in a car seat. No one bothered our teen about this, because she was matter of fact and kids got that was medical. She had a few pat phrases to explain it at the ready and it worked well.

It is not easy on the parents at the beginning, yet remarkably it does move forward. It is a lot to anticipate. Best to you and your little one,

deb

Veteran

The younger they are the better they adjust. good luck with the trip.

Glory

Veteran

Good luck with this. It is quite a bit to manage but I think the people who do it are very experienced and excellent with kids. I agree with Deb the younger the easier in many ways. Can your DD watch a movie in the car?

Jules

Veteran

I think kids are much better about the teasing these days, I believe because the educators and other adults around them are better about modelling and expecting better behavior. And yes, when they are very little they adjust quickly to such things, if they even notice.
Can you talk to her teachers/daycare provider to find out how they will handle kids' questions, etc? It might set your mind at ease.

Echo

Veteran

Hugs, Thistle. It is always so hard to deal with medical issues for children. I work in a school, and I have to agree that kids, generally speaking, are SO much better about these things than they used to be. They are actively taught not to make fun and to not judge people by how they look. Additionally, young children are so incredibly accepting. It might be helpful to have her teacher explain to the class what she is wearing and why at the beginning of the school year. That eliminates the mystery and the hesitance of other children to approach and/or ask her.

I agree that the earlier the intervention (for almost anything), the better the results, so kudos to you for getting this taken care of. Good luck on the travel and appointments.

Joyce B

Veteran

I just want to wish you good luck Thistle.

pil

Veteran

Good luck to both of you, Thistle. How old is she now? I remember when you were pregnant but must not have been around the forum when she was born. Could a friend go with you to help take the edge off the drive and help with hospital campus navigation?

Summer

Veteran

Wishing you luck and a good outcome, Thistle. Stay strong.

Thistle

Veteran

She's a yeR and a half old. Most of the kids in her room can barely talk, so they can't really tease her.

I'm probably more worried than I should be, and she's too little to worry!

Adelfa

Veteran

I do think it can be a heart-piercing experience to deal with a child's medical issues even when we know that everything is likely to be okay. So you have my empathy and my very best wishes for you and DD. Love the suggestion of a friend coming.

Echo

Veteran

Oh, I had no idea she was so young. While I absolutely understand how shattering anything like this can be to a parent, her peers probably won't even notice, let alone be able to tease her! She will probably be done with the braces by the time she is in school at all, and at that time you will be relieved that you took action so early. My DD wore headgear for dental issues when she was younger, and it just tore my heart out. But it really didn't bother her, and now no one even remembers she had it. Had we waited, it would have been far more difficult to correct the issue.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

She is going to rock this!!

Seriously.

I understand and empathize with your worry and stress over it. It's awful to think our beautiful kids are facing medical difficulties.

But at her age she will adjust in no time and become a pro with the brace on.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Adding my voice to the reassurance -- a friend's little boy had to get braces on both feet when he was 18 months because his ankles were all floppy (caused by a genetic condition involving his connective tissue). He's five now, going into grade one, and his ankles are perfectly normal. You'd never know he had braces. He was not teased, as far as I know.

Navigating the medical buildings sounds like a pain in the rear end, but you will cope, and be happy that you dealt with the problem early on! Try not to stress too much. xo

Helen11

Veteran

All the best! I always stress when I have a tight timeline for an appointment in a new place. Maybe you could go early to find the right office, then go find a space to walk or let DD use up some energy after the drive?
I think you'll be dealing with the experts and they will have some good tips for you. Therapies for kids can help them improve so fast. Maybe take a photo to look back on!

SandyG

Veteran

Thistle, your daughter will take her cues from you, so I hope all the details proceed smoothly with attentive, sensitive professionals so that you get reassured as soon as possible. Wishing you the best for your first appointment.

My husband wore foot and leg braces as a small toddler. He's 6'2.5" and athletic, so it all turns out well in the end

rachylou

Veteran

My empathies re medical complexes (just learning to navigate my medical center's new ginormous campus with no parking - ok, with $10/20 min parking) and putting anything on the feet of small children. I used to WAIL when I saw the shoeman...yes, another one of my impossibly early memories. I still remember the feeling... I hated the shoeman, the shoe store, AND the shoes. Lol. It was all very Howdy Doody in the store - and you KNOW how creepy Howdy Doody is. Totally Chuckie.

Nishaa

Trust me, for really young kids it's something New, not necessarily bad.
My daughter had glasses at very young age and my son, a year younger felt left out that he didn't have them.
She'll take cues from you, I agree with Sandy, so keep it matter of fact. The way you deal with it will teach her how to deal with it.