New Sagittal Helmet Design - Leina's Pics

[LovingLeina]

Dr. Proctor was amazing and Mike the orthodist there (at Boston Children's Hospital) was also incredible (he designed a new helmet specifically for sagittal cranio stripectomy patients, a year ago) that leaves more of their head open and exposed to air, only requires one helmet for the entire time they wear it (basically there are many layers of foam inside that they can peel out as needed for each adjustment...so the helmet starts out really thick and big looking and by the end it's much thinner and closer to their head) and it does a better job than the older helmets. (it looks pretty hysterical) I really can't speak highly enough of the two of them.

Here's the pictures!

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/keek1211/Helmet1.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/keek1211/Helmet2.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/keek1211/Helmet3.jpg

[Tawnia]

LOL It does look pretty funny but I was too distracted by that adorable face to notice! Really if it does a better job that is the main thing!

[dana337]

She is beautiful! Helmet and ALL!!

[AuburnLocks]

Wow, that is one amazing looking contraption! I bet you guys get some interesting looks when out and about. When you see it from the side, the design is so simple but makes so much sense. Brilliant.

Are you guys going to decorate it? We just started doing stickers and while he probably gets more attention overall with the decoration, we also get more friendly comments. I think having his name on it is a conversation starter so people feel freer to ask about it, rather than just stare.

She is just the cutest little thing!

[fullhouse3b2g]

She's so beautiful! In the first picture she has the most adorable expression.

Interesting design on the helmet, I don't think I've ever seen one like that before. It's probably lighter weight than the other helmets are though. That's awesome that you won't have to buy another one. Is it decoratable?

[LovingLeina]

Wow, that is one amazing looking contraption! I bet you guys get some interesting looks when out and about. When you see it from the side, the design is so simple but makes so much sense. Brilliant.

Are you guys going to decorate it? We just started doing stickers and while he probably gets more attention overall with the decoration, we also get more friendly comments. I think having his name on it is a conversation starter so people feel freer to ask about it, rather than just stare.

She is just the cutest little thing!

It is pretty crazy looking! I'm sure we'll get some looks, we haven't been out and about with it yet, but we will be soon. Right now she's still on the breaking in schedule 2 hrs on, 2 hrs off, off for naps, feeding and sleeping. Starting tomorrow she'll be wearing it 2 hrs on, 20 min off, off for 2 hours sometime in the morning, on for naps and sleeping and off to eat. All in all 18 hours a day which isn't a bad schedule.

We are going to decorate it. Right now it just looks too space like for my tastes. I told my husband it was too bad she wasn't a boy...because it looks just like the destroyer droids from star wars and we could paint it up to look like that.

We're wanting to do girl surf stickers (roxy, quicksilver, etc... like hawaiian flowers and such) I'm sure we'll have to order those online, so for now I'll probably pop into Michael's art store and buy some cute flower stickers and put her name on it as well.

Someone at the helmet fitting told me that they've seen people make bows out of ribbon and put a small dot of velcro on the helmet and then velcro on the bows and have a real bow that comes off the helmet and you can change them out to match their outfit. Sounds pretty cute!

I'm also trying to come up with a way to make the cotton cap (like Mandy makes) to put under the helmet. It's a little more difficult, but right now I just have a straight strip that goes from her forhead to the back of her head. It seems to help so much with the heat and prespireation sp?. Our orthodist told us to use mass amounts of corn starch. Sounds fine except she still has her bandagese on, ewww! We'll see about the cornstarch after they come off.

[amizzle]

Thanks Carrie.

WOW! I have never seen a helmet like that. I have heard that your orthotist used to work with our surgeon. I have an appointment in a few weeks and I will definitly be asking about Leina' helmet. Thanks so much for sharing!

I have seen girls in helmets with bows, and it looks SOOOO cute!

[Jenny]

That is definately and interesting contraption, lol! It looks like its got to be sooo much easier to put on that the hard molded ones though! And one helmet is much cheaper than two or three!

[Tawnia]

THe bows are a great idea! That would be too cute! :)

[Janet]

She's a cutie pie....helmet and all.

[three.little.boys]

she is cute even with a big spaceman helmet!!! Sounds like a neat design!

[Abby'sMom]

I'm loving the "only one helmet needed concept"...We just picked up Abby's 3rd helmet...even with insurance...Yikes! We hope this will be her last but she is growing like a weed. :giggle

I like the idea of decorating with real bows...when I saw the height in the front of the helmet I was thinking you could duplicate a pointy princess hat and have real ribbons or a bow coming out at the "point".

From experience I've discovered that most people who see the helmet are afraid to ask questions. They look then try to avert their eyes or they pay a really nice compliment about how cute she is but try to pretend they don't notice the helmet...this is a really common (and pretty funny) reaction. Don't take it personal! I think most people are afraid to make me feel uncomfortable by asking questions so they try to act non-chalant (sp?). Personally I like to let people off the hook by bringing it up myself...I'll say something short and sweet like "poor kid needed skull surgery so she has to wear the helmet for a while". Once people realize I'm ok talking about it then they feel comfortable to ask questions and it's a great chance to educate people about cranio.

Anyway, Thanks for sharing the pictures...Leina looks great!

[Seagrape]

Leina looks so cute in her helmet!!! Is she used to it yet?? What about you? I remember the first few times I saw Leah in her crib with the helmet after sleeping a bit...it startled me everytime. Now she seems wierd when we have it off for bath time...like something is missing.

I hope she is having an easy transition!

[Candice]

I must say, Leina makes helmets look good! She is SOOOOOOO cute! I too love that first picture of her. She looks so snuggleable!!!!!!!

[CMMartos]

She rocks that helmet! So cute!