Parents plagiocephaly diaries
From realising that something might be wrong, to getting a diagnosis and treatment, can be a difficult journey and one that is never the same for two people. Jo Butcher and Kate Fisher are familiar with that journey and have chosen to share their experience with us in the form of diaries. Jo and her husband started an unusual fundraising campaign and Kate has become an avid spokesperson and campaigner for awareness of Plagiocephaly.
Jo Butcher
At around 6 weeks old we noticed that our daughter Sophie had a flattening to one side of her head, to begin with we just thought that it would correct itself, but we soon realised it was getting worse.
When we asked our GP about Sophie's head shape we were told ' it was nothing' and 'her hair will grow and cover it'. The health visitors referred Sophie to a Physiotherapist as she always seemed to favour lying on one side, there we discovered she has Torticollis, which we were able to correct quite quickly but by this time Sophie was nearly 5 months old and her head shape had got a lot worse.
25 March 2009
One Month On
Sophie missed her helmet for a few weeks and has had a few knocks on the head as it used to protect her from falls.More
17 February 2009
Treatment Ends
We have decided to end treatment today we have no more improvements but we are very happy with the outcomeMore
20 January 2009
Continuing Improvements
We have only seen a 1 mm improvement this time but we have had fantastic results so far.More
23 December 2008
Another 3mm
Sophie has improved again by another 3mm, so now her asymmetry is only 9mm which is great.More
4 November 2008
November 4th - Still improving
Three weeks later we take Sophie for another check up and she has improved a further 4mm , we are amazed at how well the helmet is working. In only 5 weeks she has gone from 21mm to 15mm and we have really noticed a difference.More
15 October 2008
October 15th - Sophie coping extremely well
Two weeks after Sophie has had her helmet , she is coping extremely well and has not been bothered by having it on at all. Her head was measured again and she has improved by 2mm , her head seems more bumpy than flat now but this is because her head is starting to correct itself. We are so pleased with the results so far.More
30 September 2008
September 30th - Helmet fitting
Sophie had her helmet fitting today and everything went well , this week we will be easing her into wearing the helmet for 23 hours a day.More
16 September 2008
September 16th - Assessment
We took Sophie to Technology in Motion from Össur in London to have her assessment , her skull asymmetry was 21mm, the measurements were taken from the scanner in a couple of seconds and were sent for her helmet to be made.More
1 September 2008
Diagnosis and fundraising (head-shave and a parachute jump)
At around 6 weeks old we noticed that our Daughter Sophie had a flattening to one side of her head, to begin with we just thought that it would correct itself, but we soon realised it was getting worse.More
Kate Fisher
Kate Fisher, mum of Matilda Gleghorn, blogs on her effort to create awareness for Plagiocephaly. She has already collected 7,400 signatures which she handed in to Downing Street on 1st September.
I am trying to create awareness for Plagiocephaly as there is not enough advice given to parents from their GPs or Health Visitors. I started a petition for Plagiocephaly and collected 7,400 signatures which I handed in to Downing Street on 1st September. I am now awaiting their response.
3 October 2008
Five Months In
Almost five months and I have now noticed that Matilda's head has started to slow down or even stopped changing.More
18 September 2008
4 Months in and Everything's Going Well
Almost four and a half months into Matilda's treatment and everything seems to be going well, no problems with the helmet. Our next appointment is 1st October which is for her review.More
15 September 2008
Our Visit to 10 Downing Street
Matilda started her cranial remoulding treatment at 15 months with severe brachycephaly and mild plagiocephaly, at 104% which is now down to 95% at 19 months.More