Ellie is starting to walk with her braces (AFOs, or Ankle Foot Orthotics) on! We are hoping that by wearing her braces, she will keep flat-footed more often and that her scissoring (leg-crossing) will also be helped. This video is from yesterday (19 days post-SDR surgery), and this is the very first time she's walked with her braces AND sneakers on. We were very impressed! We will have to work on the her right foot turning in, but it's a good start.
One of her braces without any shoes on.
With the shoe on. Ellie normally wears a size 8.5 shoe, but in order to fit over the AFO, we had to buy a size 11 wide! You can imagine how bulky and heavy that feels on her foot. For that reason alone, we were really impressed by her ability to walk with them as well as she did!
This wonderful!! Hey have you heard of Hatchbacks? They are GREAT because they are designed for kids wearing AFO's and they are super easy to get on and off. The best part is you DONT have to get 3 sizes too big. We love them , here is the link http://www.hatchbacksfootwear.com/index.htm
Don't forget to take out the insole of the tennis shoe (if you haven't already) so that Ellie's foot can go further into the shoe, it really does help. Also, removing the tongue of a shoe will eliminate some of the bulk and with AFO's there is no need for a tongue.
About Hatchbacks...some love them, we do not. They are the heaviest shoe and even our orthotists and PT steered us from them...we have the best of luck at Stride Rite shoes. They have wide and extra wide and light weight, soft, rubber soles.
Another little shoe tidbit that has helped us...don't be discouraged if you find a cute girlie shoe with velcro straps because the straps are too short to fasten over the AFO. We take ours to a local shoe repair who does a fine job of lengthen the straps for us.
Super progress by the way! Soak up some of those Florida rays for me!!
This is way impressive. Emma struggles to adjust to every new pair of AFO's because of the increasing bulk of the shoe. I am totally amazed that Ellie can move those feet so quickly. She is so sweet. I want to hug her, please! How do you ever stand all the cuteness?
Thanks to all the parents above for the thoughts on the shoes. Great help.
Thanks for all the AFO advice! This is kinda new to us. We bought these sneakers at Stride Rite and it was a great experience. Our sales person was very familiar with AFOs and fitting shoes over them. I'll have to try taking out the insoles...makes perfect sense!
We head to Tampa for our Shriner's Hospital visit on Monday, where I anticipate they will make her new AFOs, so perhaps we'll need to buy new shoes AGAIN. Ellie is starting with her shoe fetish early! :-)
Thanks again for your comments and advice, fellow CP-moms! I really do appreciate it!
OH this girl makes my heart smile every time I see her. Her progress is amazing!! We buy New Balance sneakers, which also come in wide, and remove the insoles too. Malayna and I want to come enjoy the warm Florida sunshine and swimming. My girl loves the water too!
Okay, I am so excited about this that I showed Johnnie, my husband. We love stuff like this. I loved hearing sweet Ellie say, "Daddy, watch me go!" That is priceless! Sweet, sweet girl!
Oh How precious you are sweet Ellie! I got to hear your voice Daddy Richard! It's been a long time and then to hear Ellie call you Daddy melted my heart! I just know you are the best Daddy to Ellie in all the world!! I just discovered your blog after asking Mary Ellen a hundred times "How's Ellie doing?" I can't wait to see all the miracles God will perform in Ellie's life.
I am very impressed and excited. More videos please!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis wonderful!! Hey have you heard of Hatchbacks? They are GREAT because they are designed for kids wearing AFO's and they are super easy to get on and off. The best part is you DONT have to get 3 sizes too big. We love them , here is the link http://www.hatchbacksfootwear.com/index.htm
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to take out the insole of the tennis shoe (if you haven't already) so that Ellie's foot can go further into the shoe, it really does help. Also, removing the tongue of a shoe will eliminate some of the bulk and with AFO's there is no need for a tongue.
ReplyDeleteAbout Hatchbacks...some love them, we do not. They are the heaviest shoe and even our orthotists and PT steered us from them...we have the best of luck at Stride Rite shoes. They have wide and extra wide and light weight, soft, rubber soles.
Another little shoe tidbit that has helped us...don't be discouraged if you find a cute girlie shoe with velcro straps because the straps are too short to fasten over the AFO. We take ours to a local shoe repair who does a fine job of lengthen the straps for us.
Super progress by the way! Soak up some of those Florida rays for me!!
This is way impressive. Emma struggles to adjust to every new pair of AFO's because of the increasing bulk of the shoe. I am totally amazed that Ellie can move those feet so quickly. She is so sweet. I want to hug her, please! How do you ever stand all the cuteness?
ReplyDeleteThanks to all the parents above for the thoughts on the shoes. Great help.
Go Ellie!! Keep these awesome videos coming.
Thanks for all the AFO advice! This is kinda new to us. We bought these sneakers at Stride Rite and it was a great experience. Our sales person was very familiar with AFOs and fitting shoes over them. I'll have to try taking out the insoles...makes perfect sense!
ReplyDeleteWe head to Tampa for our Shriner's Hospital visit on Monday, where I anticipate they will make her new AFOs, so perhaps we'll need to buy new shoes AGAIN. Ellie is starting with her shoe fetish early! :-)
Thanks again for your comments and advice, fellow CP-moms! I really do appreciate it!
OH this girl makes my heart smile every time I see her. Her progress is amazing!! We buy New Balance sneakers, which also come in wide, and remove the insoles too. Malayna and I want to come enjoy the warm Florida sunshine and swimming. My girl loves the water too!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I am so excited about this that I showed Johnnie, my husband. We love stuff like this. I loved hearing sweet Ellie say, "Daddy, watch me go!" That is priceless! Sweet, sweet girl!
ReplyDeleteOh How precious you are sweet Ellie! I got to hear your voice Daddy Richard! It's been a long time and then to hear Ellie call you Daddy melted my heart! I just know you are the best Daddy to Ellie in all the world!! I just discovered your blog after asking Mary Ellen a hundred times "How's Ellie doing?" I can't wait to see all the miracles God will perform in Ellie's life.
ReplyDelete