Pediatric Prosthetics: Getting Back to Routine Life
As a parent, you want your child to be as happy and healthy as possible. When your child has a limb difference, everyday activities like going to school, playing sports, and spending time with friends require physical and mental adjustments. Our goal at Durrett’s Orthotics & Prosthetics is to help your child regain their confidence and lifestyle as quickly as possible following an amputation or need for an orthotic device.
Be Prepared for the Journey
Growing up is an arduous journey for every child, but a child who has lost a limb will face more difficulty during this process. You want their transition to adulthood to be as easy as possible, but the reality is that there will be challenges that you aren’t anticipating. It’s essential for you as the parent to stay optimistic and realistic so that you can provide the support your child needs.
Ideally, you’ll have the opportunity to prepare for this major change, but that’s not always possible. Whether you have advance notice or not, you should still spend time researching limb differences. This can involve reading articles and blogs on the topic or joining a support group. We take pride in always staying on top of the latest orthotic and prosthetic technologies so we can offer your child the very best care.
The Importance of Optimism
Your whole family will be facing a lot of strong emotions during this time. It’s often said to avoid dwelling on the negative aspects and difficulties of this transition. It’s essential for your child’s physical and emotional well-being that you focus on what’s going well. Perhaps your child has recently hit a new movement goal with their prosthesis or has made new friends who also have limb differences. Reassure your entire family that your life will settle into a new normal.
Remain Accessible
Once your child returns to their usual activities, such as school, it’s important for you to remain accessible to their teachers and other caregivers. It’s your job to explain to them how they can best support your child without placing a spotlight on him or her. Communication is crucial so that everyone who spends a significant amount of time with your child can address issues as they arise. More than anything else, your child will want to be treated like their peers. Work with your child’s teachers and school administration to put a plan into practice so that their needs are being met and that there is less of a divide between your child’s care and other students’ needs.
Contact Us
Children grow and change quickly so it’s vital for you to receive care from a prosthetist who will be there to support you and your child every step of the way. The team at Durrett’s Orthotics & Prosthetics is committed to providing top of the line care for your child. We’re here to meet all of your orthotics and prosthetics needs in our state-of-the-art facility. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. We are located in Edgewood, KY, and are pleased to serve the areas of Erlanger, Florence, Covington, Fort Thomas, Union, Walton, Edgewood, Oakbrook, Taylorsport, Fort Mitchell, Hebron, Beaverlick, Burlington, Belleview, Independence, Newport, Verona, Elsmere, Kentucky; Lawrenceburg, Aurora, and Dearborn County, Indiana; and Cincinnati, Ohio.
