What Good Foot Bracing Should Do

There is a fair amount of controversy about bracing feet in general…when to do it, how much to do, and the way that you do it.

Some thoughts are that they are not useful at all.  I don’t necessarily agree with this, as long as the bracing is done in a thoughtful and co-ordinated way. having said this there are times when no bracing IS good bracing.

As you may know, I have experience with using foot bracing as a physiotherapist and a consumer (for both myself and my son with cerebral palsy).

This is what I have learned so far:

1. It is as much of an art as a science
2. What works for one person with one set of issues may not work for another person with the same issues
3. You need to keep the client’s goals and skills in mind
4. Looks count (you try wearing an ugly foot brace!)
5. You need to keep the client’s day in mind – who will be taking these on and off?
6. You need to keep the client’s day in mind  -what are ALL the things the client will be doing during the day?
7. You can reduce the amount of bracing with good bracing followed by good physiotherapy.

To know more, I have written an article here: Foot Braces – 3 Things To Look For And How To Know If They Work (or contact me and I will send you the article directly).

Expect more from your foot braces!

The CTV News

So apprently our story about TheraSuit got bumped last night, and we will be on either tonight’s show or Monday. 

I am told that its still the 6 o’clock news.

Thanks to everyone who told us they were watching last night…your support is great.

Our Clinic in the News

Several people have asked to to forward the links to the news stories about TheraSuit we have had recently.

I thought I would post them here for future reference:

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=27f352bc-01fb-4d4e-b7bc-866063620041 (Province Newspaper)

http://www.canada.com/abbotsfordtimes/news/story.html?id=a320874b-b913-4b39-8aa5-acac834bd01b (Abbotsford Times)

Abbotsford News (link is now broken, let me know if you want a copy and I will forward one to you).

A New Rehabilitation Assistant

We are so very lucky to have Stefanie Pemble join us as a Rehabilitation Assistant.  Stefanie grew up in Abbotsford and enjoys kayaking in her spare time. She has recently graduated from CDI college and has lots of great knowledge. 

Even better is that she is great at working with both children and adults to help them reach their potential.

Stefanie’s role will be to assist Heather with the rehabilitation programs within the clinic as well as a bunch of “behind the scenes” work.

Be sure to say “hi” to her next time you are in.

CTV news

The kind folks at CTV news came Tuesday to film us at work and talk to one of the clients who has used the TheraSuit program.  They have told me its going to be airing Thursday, October 18th as the last story of the 6 o’clock news.

I don’t think I’m going to watch…only because I hate seeing myself on TV. 

Whether or not parents  or clients choose to do the TheraSuit program (which I still think is awesome by the way), I hope this story gives people and caregivers of people with neurological disabilities HOPE that there is almost always potential for improvement.

Never give up!

As always, if you want more information about the TheraSuit program, you can visit my website at www.therasuit.ca or call me at 778-552-3177.

Contact Information

I’ve had a few people ask me recently about my website and contact information.  We will opening in our new location (in downtown Abbotsford) October 1, 2007, but in the mean time you can contact me in a couple of ways:

See me at my website: www.therasuit.ca

Call me: 778-552-3177

E-mail me: abilitiesrehab@gmail.com

Hope that helps!

CP Message Board

One of the moms of a client I see told me about a great message board for parents of children of CP.  Thanks Andrea for the tip!

Cascade Orthotics

I went to a two day course hosted by Cascade orthotics over the weekend.  It was a great course. What I really like about Cascade orthotics is that:

1. They value (and then choose the bracing for)the child in the context of where they are functionally, not just for what their feet look like.

2.  They see the value of a team approach to care.

3.  They have great customer service.

4. They have created a system that helps choose the most appropriate brace for the child. You can see it here.

They have some of the best braces I have seen.  Thanks for the great course!

Through the Eyes of a Child

I was invited to give a presentation today at a conference called “Through the Eyes of a Child.”  This conference was sponsored by the Supported Child Development Program of the Fraser Valley Child Development Center.

My topic was “Teaching Gross Motor Skills in a Childcare Setting.”  I had a lot of fun (if you were there, I hope you did too!).

My premise is that all motor skills can be broken down into three components:

1. neurological maturity
2. learning and
3. opportunity

As childcare providers, you can have a huge influence on #2 and #3.

If you were there today, I’d love to hear what you thought!

We have a new LiteGait in the clinic

This is the new LiteGait that I purchased for the clinic.

Isn’t it awesome?

This machine allows me to get children and adults up to 200 lbs and 6 foot 6 inches tall into a standing position…even if they can’t stand on their own.  We then use it over a treadmill and on the ground to work on walking skills.  I love it.  It’s like having two extra sets of really strong hands to help me.

There is some really great research and information on their website.

So far I have been using it all kinds of people.  People like a 2 year old child with balance issues and a woman in her 80’s with an incomplete spinal cord injury.

I plan to show some before and after photos and videos as I get them. So far, I am really happy with the progress that my clients are getting using this machine.