The Helmet Journey Starts Tomorrow!

I am writing now as an amazed and stunned woman.  Some of you know this story but I’m starting from the beginning for any who might be reading from links at Alexandra’s P.H.A.T.E.   What I find so cool about this story is that we really thought it wasn’t possible at all but God had different things in mind for us.

Last Monday, I took Natalie to Level 4 Orthotics to discuss whether she needed a cranial remolding helmet or not.  We’ve been noticing a flat spot for awhile but had hoped it would get better with her learning to sit up more.  Since she is not sitting up yet at 9 months due to some delay in gross motor skills from Down’s Syndrome, it seemed to David and I that the flat spot was getting worse.  Natalie has also loved to look right from the day she was born.  Our physical therapist is always checking to see if she has torticollis and it seems Natalie just likes that side better.  After being scanned, I was told that her head shape was a Level 3 out of 5 in terms of severity.  Below is an image of her head shape currently.  When we started talking about cost, it became clear that it was not something we could afford.  Our insurance has a very high deductible so we would have to pay 100% of the cost.  Natalie needs physical therapy right now to help with her low muscle tone that comes with Down’s syndrome so that had to be our top priority in terms of finances.

I decided to look for help on the internet.  I happened to post on Facebook about it and my sister-in-law suggested looking for a used helmet.  Not sure that it was even possible, I started searching anyway.  I found a group called Alexandra's P.H.A.T.E., a group that, through a partnership with Orthomerica, is able to provide 12 helmets a year.  I e-mailed Gary Tate Natalie’s information.  One week later, I received a call from Level 4 saying that through Blake Norquist, Orthomerica had agreed to provide Natalie with a star band.  We are so thankful and stunned at how quickly this all was orchestrated!  We have an appointment tomorrow to have her scanned again since babies head shape grows so fast.  Can’t wait to take lots of pictures of the process!

Amy