Bilateral AFOs

On February 5th, Emma was almost standing under her own power during physical therapy (PT). Because of her progress, her therapist recommended Bilateral Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFOs) to help her with the pronation (diagram below) she experiences when she tries to bear weight on her feet. So when we went to her pediatrician appointment on her birthday two days later, I discussed the braces with her doctor. She agreed with Emma's PT, and wrote a prescription for them.



We went to Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics in Plano for her assessment on February 11th. The technician that did the initial appointment was impressed by the strength Emma displayed in her legs, but agreed that her ankles were weak and the braces would help. They would provide her with much needed support, allowing her ankles to develop strength while keeping her feet in place. He took all of her measurements, which was a fun ordeal as she is not a fan of being still while anyone is holding any of her extremities. I was impressed how the technician was able to get them so quickly given how much Emma was wiggling. They gave us a two week approximation for the custom braces to be in, so we left eager to return.

In addition to getting Emma the AFOs she needs, I have also been working with Emma's therapists and pediatrician to get her on the waiting list for SpiritHorse Therapeutic Center in Corinth. I mailed in her completed application on February 13th and hope that she will get in soon. They have a long waiting list, but their services are worth the wait. The therapeutic horseback riding they provide to around 450 children and adults is at no cost to their families. There are sixty-four children that have spoken their first words, forty-eight have taken their first steps, and even thirty-eight who sat up for the first time at this center with the help of the therapy they provide. My hope is that Emma will make the "first step" number increase by one more.

I received a call from Hanger on February 19th stating the braces were in so we scheduled an appointment for her fitting on the 21st. It went well and Emma left wearing her new AFOs (or "boots" as we're calling them) and some slipper shoes we found at Target that her PT recommended. It was great to have them for her PT on the 22nd to see what her therapist thought and to talk with her about how to move forward working with Emma as she progresses with her new "boots." It was extremely beneficial since her PT will be moving at the end of February and Emma won't be getting therapy from her any longer.

Emma's left boot viewed from the inside. The plastic has the "comic strip" design on it.

Emma has adjusted well to her new "boots" and seems to be getting used to them fairly quickly. I'm always impressed and amazed at how tolerant she is of things. For a child that seemed so adverse to textures (and still is reluctant to touch new things as times), she is really becoming one curious little girl. I can't wait to see her exploring places on her own!