Riley is now wearing a "helmet" to correct his head shape, which had gone astray in last few months. Here are some questions you might be asking:
1. How long will he have to wear it? Answer: For 3 months. 23.5hr/day.
2. What exactly will it do? Answer: The helmet will constrict the "crooked" growth of Riley's head, and allow for new growth to bring his head to a more "normal" shape.
3. Why is his head crooked? Answer: Because it's soft. And because he has slept on his back for his whole life, with a slight lean to the left, thus causing gravity and head growth to make his head crooked. Picture a water balloon resting on a flat surface. Here is an example of before and after pictures. The boy in the example has a shape similar to Riley's, in the Before picture.
4. Does it bother him? Answer: Not much. He enjoys the feeling of banging it against his crib bars :)
5. Is it medically necessary, or just cosmetic? Answer: Both. If Riley's head shape isn't corrected now, he'll have jaw problems, inner-ear (balance), and neck/spine issues later in life.
6. Is your insurance company paying for it? Answer: Not a penny.
7. Why not? Answer: Because our insurance company is a corrupt, profit-driven corporation, caring more about its bottom line than about its customers. We are working on a lengthy appeals process with them.
8. Other than his head shape, how is Riley doing? Answer: Wonderfully!
The DOC Band
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8 comments:
hey cuz! Brian directed me to your blog, glad to know that Riley is doing so well! i will write more in an email.
loves.i miss you guys.
I have a friend who is battling with her insurance company over the same issue as well...and she has twins! Glad the helmet doesn't seem to bother Riley. He actually looks adorable in it...how could he not, right?
you know...i'm thinking that is just thing a little guy needs...the banging of the head, the falling down...it just makes life a little "safer".
he's cute no matter what!
Melissa
He is absolutely adorable.
signed,
the stalking auntie
He looks great in the helmet!!! It will be so worth all the hassle in the end.
two comments on one picture...that's how cute he is!
i think the helmet accentuates those adorable cheeks and makes them that much more appetizing and increases the desire to consume baby cheeks!
you have to just laugh in joy at God's blessing in Riley.
Melissa
Just catching up, mate.
Hes a cutie. But go get that big bad insurance company...
Praying for justice.
Love your blog. Hate those insurance companies. We are in the midst of trying to get Alexander to wear his glasses. Poor kid got a weak pair of peepers and one eye is so poor it causes it to go crosseyed. So to prevent him from being known the rest of his life as "lazy eyed Alex" we need him to wear his glasses. Except he hates anything on his head. I need one of those helmets to strap the glasses to.
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