- P
Our baby girl Skylar was diagnosed by her Physical Therapist with torticollis in October, when she was about 4 months old. This is a condition when a neck muscle, specifically the sternocleidomastoid, is super tight on one side. This caused her head to twist down and toward her left hand, as well as favor one sleeping position over others, gravitating to her sweet spot, and therefore causing cranial asymmetry. It was quite an experience as it was recognized, and doing my best to work with the guidance of Sky's PT Deidra, to actually begin regularly stretching out her neck, 6-8 sessions per day, turning to the right, tilting to the left, and pulling wayyy back, but she'd only let me do it with a tickle. She was wound tight! A bottle or a big sister or brother to look at helped distract her during these stretching sessions.
After weeks of pretty aggressive stretching, Skylar's muscular issues related to the torticollis have been been treated. She still kicks back into her favorite spot, with her right arm behind her head, and suckling on her left pinky, ring and middle fingers. However, the tightness has been corrected and she can turn her head equally to both sides with full range. She is a happy baby girl and developing normally, however, she still has significant posterior plagiocephaly (flat head), as well as oblique asymmetries. Skylar needs a corrective helmet to address her condition. Unfortunately, our insurance will not cover this medical device. From everything I gather, our insurance views helmeting, in the same critical light as chiropractic has been viewed in the past as, new or alternative medicine. Also, I understand some things may have changed when the FDA began regulating helmets as a Class II Medical Device. These helmets make logical sense, by simply ensuring there is a cavity anywhere growth is needed in order to correct flat spots and asymmetry.
The cost for her entire treatment is $2,760, and that includes everything. We've set a gofundme goal of $1,000 that we hope to meet and perhaps even exceed! Skylar is 6 months old now and is a prime candidate for a corrective helmet because of her age and condition. With a small window of time to proceed with helmeting, we are simply reaching out to the good will of our friends, family, and neighbors. We plan to proceed regardless, as we don't want Skylar to have a flat gourd forever! We know 2020 has been strenuous for everyone; a pain in the ass some would say, we've loved and lost, but if you would like to chip in, in any amount, it would be very much appreciated. All contributions will go, dollar for dollar, toward Skylar's medical treatment with Hanger Clinic in Des Moines, IA.
Wishing you all the best. Much love and joy this holiday season from the Duysens. On to 2021!
Caveat for Charity - As soon as our goal of $1,000 is reached, we will begin a new gofundme campaign with a $50 contribution to the Alzheimers Association in honor and memory of Jerry Duysen and Robert Horning. Robert "Bobby" Horning was Kara's wonderful Uncle Bobby. His impact on all of us who knew and loved him is profound and unique. He was a beautiful soul who's dancing was contagious, and we all miss deeply. Bobby died on February 24th, 2020 of complications from pneumonia, and he also sadly had dementia in the end of his life. He loved life, but he loved family most of all.
Jerry Duysen was Jayde's wonderful grandpa. He passed away peacefully in the first hour of 12/29/2020 from complications from Coronavirus. I'll never forget his even keeled demeanor on a cool morning in the BWCA, nor will I forget his laugh. Grandpa will be deeply missed. Some of us feel like we've lost him twice as his Alzheimers was severe. I hope he is walking with Grandma Abbie through Elmwood Park, with some Carin Terriers along.
After weeks of pretty aggressive stretching, Skylar's muscular issues related to the torticollis have been been treated. She still kicks back into her favorite spot, with her right arm behind her head, and suckling on her left pinky, ring and middle fingers. However, the tightness has been corrected and she can turn her head equally to both sides with full range. She is a happy baby girl and developing normally, however, she still has significant posterior plagiocephaly (flat head), as well as oblique asymmetries. Skylar needs a corrective helmet to address her condition. Unfortunately, our insurance will not cover this medical device. From everything I gather, our insurance views helmeting, in the same critical light as chiropractic has been viewed in the past as, new or alternative medicine. Also, I understand some things may have changed when the FDA began regulating helmets as a Class II Medical Device. These helmets make logical sense, by simply ensuring there is a cavity anywhere growth is needed in order to correct flat spots and asymmetry.
The cost for her entire treatment is $2,760, and that includes everything. We've set a gofundme goal of $1,000 that we hope to meet and perhaps even exceed! Skylar is 6 months old now and is a prime candidate for a corrective helmet because of her age and condition. With a small window of time to proceed with helmeting, we are simply reaching out to the good will of our friends, family, and neighbors. We plan to proceed regardless, as we don't want Skylar to have a flat gourd forever! We know 2020 has been strenuous for everyone; a pain in the ass some would say, we've loved and lost, but if you would like to chip in, in any amount, it would be very much appreciated. All contributions will go, dollar for dollar, toward Skylar's medical treatment with Hanger Clinic in Des Moines, IA.
Wishing you all the best. Much love and joy this holiday season from the Duysens. On to 2021!
Caveat for Charity - As soon as our goal of $1,000 is reached, we will begin a new gofundme campaign with a $50 contribution to the Alzheimers Association in honor and memory of Jerry Duysen and Robert Horning. Robert "Bobby" Horning was Kara's wonderful Uncle Bobby. His impact on all of us who knew and loved him is profound and unique. He was a beautiful soul who's dancing was contagious, and we all miss deeply. Bobby died on February 24th, 2020 of complications from pneumonia, and he also sadly had dementia in the end of his life. He loved life, but he loved family most of all.
Jerry Duysen was Jayde's wonderful grandpa. He passed away peacefully in the first hour of 12/29/2020 from complications from Coronavirus. I'll never forget his even keeled demeanor on a cool morning in the BWCA, nor will I forget his laugh. Grandpa will be deeply missed. Some of us feel like we've lost him twice as his Alzheimers was severe. I hope he is walking with Grandma Abbie through Elmwood Park, with some Carin Terriers along.