Botox Clinic Follow-up and Casting

This morning we had Violet's Botox Clinic follow-up appointment which for the first time in 2 years of her having Botox injections, we actually attended the follow-up in person as they are normally quite happy to do it over the phone.

They are reasonably pleased with her results so far. Her heel is alot flatter than what it is normally, although still not completely flat. Her foot is still in varus position which was one of our Botox goals, but unfortunately this has not been helped.

After this appointment we had Violet's last (hopefully) cast put on for this serial casting block.

Last Group Incident

I decided on Friday to call and report the incident Violet had at her last group at The Spastic Centre on Wednesday.

I rang the Manager of the centre who works at the Head Office and explained the situation to her and told her I was not impressed at all, especially with the lack of supervision and support that Violet needs and was clearly neglected. I also told her I was not happy that an incident report was not made and that the incident was brushed off and nothing more done about it.

She was horrified to hear her Physio had not been holding her at all and not only because Violet has CP and vision impairment but of all things a shunt that she could have damaged, with serious consequences!

She was equally as disappointed to hear that an incident report had not been written and that Violet's Physio had not even bothered to followup with a phone call one of the following days to check on how she was.

She apologised and told me she would be calling her Physio to discuss what had happened and make sure this kind of thing hopefully doesn't happen again.

Last Group

Today Violet had her last official group therapy session at The Spastic Centre, besides next weeks combined Xmas party.

As Violet's Preschool days fall on the same day as her therapy group, she will unfortunately miss out for 2010. She will still have access to her Physio, OT and Speech Therapists there though.

Today there were only 2 children in the group including Violet, the morning was going well until the Physio decided to get out the Physio Balls for the children to lean over. I was putting a chair away Violet had been using and assumed that the physio that was with Violet would help hold her on as she was right next to her showing her the ball and what they had to do. You would think she of all people would realise Violet is unable to do this task on her own, not only because she is little but shehas CP, is visually impaired and therefore has balance issues not to mention she has a shunt.

Well I turn around to come back to Violet and as I did, the Physio had let Violet do it on her own and of course the inevitable happened she fell straight off onto the hard lino covered concrete floor onto the side of her head...her shunt side of her head!

She of course follows with an almighty scream and I picked her up off the floor as the Physio casually said sorry and continued with the activity. Meanwhile Violet is still screaming while I am holding her trying to calm her down.

Physio then said is she okay? I said I don't know...she fell on her head for a start and she has her shunt on that side!

I checked her shunt to make sure the valve was still okay...it seemed to feel okay, so luckily she must have fell on her shunt side but not right on her valve!

I didn't say much to the Physio as she clearly just doesn't get it! I just told her I would not be telling Dave as he would be very angry about it.

I was so annoyed that she had let this happen! I was angry at myself for putting trust in someone else that I thought would do what was right for Violet which could have had huge consequences, I mean it's not good for any child to hit their head like this, but even more so for someone like Violet!

It now makes me feel more anxious than I aready was about her going to Preschool if her therapists that should know her so well get it wrong!

Casting

Today Violet had her next installment of casting. She was a very good girl for her Physio at the hospital and has now even decided she will lay down on her tummy for her, to be able to get the best stretch needed for casting.

She made me very proud how well behaved she was for the whole procedure!

She has also given me some dynamic tape to use over her cast and thigh to hopefully help keep an even better position of her leg/foot.

We go back on Monday for our Botox review and hopefully the last casting for this block.

Alison & RPA

Since joining Essential Baby forums a few years ago, as I have mentioned I have met lots of lovely ladies of children with special needs, one of these ladies...Alison I have also had the pleasure of meeting a couple of times now in person aswell.

She has 3 lovely daughters, but her youngest 2 are twins and were truly miracle babies. You can read all about Alison and her girls on her blog I'm Thinking of Starting a Blog - A blog about life in the 'burbs with 3 children - one of whom happens to have multiple disabilities.

For Australian readers of my blog, tonight on RPA - Where are they now? Alison and her hubby will be on there with their daughters. They have been on the show a couple of times now and I look forward to watching them and their gorgeous family again tonight on Channel 9 @ 8.30 Eastern Time.

2009 Wellsphere Health Blogger Awards

I don't normally ask for votes, but here goes. ..I am hoping to better Violet's blogs position from last year when we came 87th, still very privileged to make the top 100 though.

Voting closes 15th December.

If your keen please click on vote now button below, thanks!

for
Sarah

http://violetsjourney.blogspot.com

Serial Casting Time Again & Orthotist Appointment

Today Violet had her next installment of casting...post Botox. She will be wearing this cast for the week and we go back on Monday for another one to be put on.

I think casting in 40 degree heat should be made illegal though, feel awful making her wear it in this heat...but it has to be done!

After the casting appointment, we had her Orthotic Appointment to pick up her new static AFO. It fits so much better and with the added straps keeps her foot in a much better position.

Felt a little weird only picking 1 AFO up, but don't get me wrong so pleased it's now only 1 needed!