Totally bummed!

[Sophia's_mom]

We met with the tech from Hanger prosthetics on Wednesday for Sophia's inital evaluation and measurements. The helmet they provide is a clear, hard plastic helmet, which I knew and was prepared to see, but they told we could not paint it. :react

We can put stickers and such on it, but it has to remain clear. Big bummer, I was really looking forward to painting it pink and making it as cute as possible. I'm so bummed about the helmet anyway, now it's even a bigger let down. Hopefully we can find really fun stickers. Ugh! :sigh

Sorry I guess I just needed to vent.

[Lauren]

Why can't you paint it?

[*jules*]

Ah Tess! So sorry to hear that. What a bummer. Did they mention WHY you couldn't paint it? Try to keep your chin up, I'm sure once you get some stickers and decals (if those would work), it'll be cute as can be. Plus, with Sophia's adorable little face peeking out, who's gonna be concentrating on her helmet? :):hugg

[Sophia's_mom]

The tech said it has to remain clear in certain areas so they can see how it's fitting. Birds eye view, I guess. He even said we can't put stickers in certain areas.

[Sophia's_mom]

Plus, with Sophia's adorable little face peeking out, who's gonna be concentrating on her helmet? :):hugg

Ahh, Julie...thanks! That's a good way to look at it.

[Holly]

My 2nd cranio son had the clear hard plastic. I like the style/looks of the regular one that my 1st son had but I think the clear plastic one worked better and it was good to be able to see were their was pressure on their heads. Did you get air holes? That is very important because their heads get so sweaty.

[Sophia's_mom]

My 2nd cranio son had the clear hard plastic. I like the style/looks of the regular one that my 1st son had but I think the clear plastic one worked better and it was good to be able to see were their was pressure on their heads. Did you get air holes? That is very important because their heads get so sweaty.

Yep, it comes with a ton of little holes in the top already. They told us that would help with the smell too.

[dannlark]

((HUGS)) That's dissapointing, but I agree. Sophia is such a doll that they are alll going to be looking at her cute punim anyway. There are some nice girlie stickers and decals out there...you'll still have fun with what you can do.

[Liam's mom]

You got the helmet BEFORE surgery? Does Sophia have to wear it now or do you wait until after the surgery?

Liam had the same exact helmet and I was a little disappointed too when I couldn't get a camoflauge one for him. But it does make it easier to see their cute little heads through the clear plastic. And it will do an AMAZING job.....

[Sophia's_mom]

You got the helmet BEFORE surgery? Does Sophia have to wear it now or do you wait until after the surgery?

Liam had the same exact helmet and I was a little disappointed too when I couldn't get a camoflauge one for him. But it does make it easier to see their cute little heads through the clear plastic. And it will do an AMAZING job.....

No, we just went for an initial appointment to meet the tech and do some measurements prior to surgery. He showed us the helmets and when I asked about painting he said no.
:no

I know it's going to do a good job, and the time is going to fly, I just need to get out of my funk about it. I will try reminding myself how lucky we are to have this fix, and everything will be perfect soon.

[mummybeelee]

:hugg Tessa

You can funk as much as you like here. We understand:hugg It is a hard journey this cranio one and sometimes the little things take on extra importance because of that.

Julie is totally right though Sophia's gorgeous face is going to be the centre of attention anyway :adore

[Phaedra]

I've made Brie's look pretty cute despite the clear plastic. =)

http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu324/phaedra05/helmet/IMG_2867.jpg
http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu324/phaedra05/helmet/IMG_2726.jpg
http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu324/phaedra05/helmet/IMG_2727.jpg
http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu324/phaedra05/helmet/IMG_2723.jpg

[*jules*]

Aw, that does look cute. In the second pic tho, it looks like her helmet comes down so far on her forehead. Can she see? LOL. Great job decorating.

[Monica]

I love Brianna's helmet, it's adorable.

Here's another take on the painting...I think you would be frustrated if you painted the whole thing in the long run. It would chip and peel and probably wouldn't look good for very long. Then you'd also have to worry about her eating paint chips...

hang in there!

[dannlark]

Great job decorating Brianna's helmet! Very cute!!

See, Tessa, it can be done!!

[Sophia's_mom]

OH, I love how Brie's looks!!! I'm so glad you shared that, I just couldn't get a picture in my head that looked good at all. Thank you so much!!! Now I'm happy again, I'll go shopping for cute stickers this weekend.

[Sophia's_mom]

Here's another take on the painting...I think you would be frustrated if you painted the whole thing in the long run. It would chip and peel and probably wouldn't look good for very long. Then you'd also have to worry about her eating paint chips...

hang in there!

I never thought about the paint chipping...good point! I don't need anything else to worry about at this point.

[panda4ducky]

For anyone who does plan on painting, use the plastic bonding spray paint. We use it on chase's helmet and it covers perfectly with only one coat. Also, we haven't had any issues with it chipping, peeling, scratching, or being dented off. It truely bonded with the plastic.

[Colin's Mom]

Colin also has the clear plastic and we put Cardinal's decals on it. They stay on great! I like the clear a lot better now that I see him in it, because you can actually still see your baby's whole head. With the others, the helmet seems more obvious. I was disappointed at first, too, though. I have had several parents come up to me who had the solid plastic helmets who were jealous about our clear one. Just like everything else, everyone will like different things.