I've read a previous post on the subject but am desperate for more info! I have also posted this same post on the "parenting" board, but it applies to both boards so the more help I can get, the better!
I'm Jamie and after lots of trying my husband and I are finally going to have a baby! He is a C6/7 quadraplegic and obviously finger movement is an issue when it comes to a lot of things, like holding a baby bottle, etc. I need anyone and everyone's advice on what you did with your baby!!! Anything...bottles, feeding, transporting, or ANY other baby equipment stories/ideas. smile.gif
Who can I contact or where can I find a crib for the baby that my husband can get his chair under? I've found a few online, but several of them are just pictures of ones that have been modified by individuals for their own family. I am not inclined in the field of carpentry! He's pretty tall, and has a power chair, so the chair sits up pretty high. And what about when the baby gets older and the mattress has to be lowered? Will the modifications mess that up?
THANKS SO MUCH IN ADVANCE! Again, ANY INFO is of help, I'm desperate...lol.
Jamie
0
Adaptive Equipment To Care For A Baby By C6/7 Quadriplegic?
Started by
yahimabeliever
, Jul 12 2007 09:51 PM
1 reply to this topic
Top#2
wheel_e1961
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- Members
- 1 posts
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- Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:c6/7 complete
Posted 13 August 2007 - 01:33 AM
Jamie,
I'm a 46 yr c6/7 complete (no grip in hands). I use a manual chair and am 5' 10". My injury was after my kids were born and in school. However I began watching my 1st grandson at 14 days old. I now have 3 grand kids 2boys, 1 girl. Watching 1 girl, 1 boy now. I made some things that helped but mostly just learned ways to do things. We have many ideas for cribs and things that are accessable but never get most made(I only have them for 6-10 hrs 3-4 days a week). I usually find a way that works. As ar as holding the baby. Get a soft foam neck pillow and put it on your lap. You may need a support on the back side to keep it from bending. I use a plastic tray(from Sonic Drive-in) inside the cover. With no grip I can manuver and pick up the baby. It takes some learning and the cloths they wear can make things easier. I use my teath a lot. I know another c 6/7 complete that raised 3 girls and made some harnesses etc to get them picked up. I use a folding table for a changing table. It is up against the wall and I can have all supplies on the table. I have a soft pad down to put the baby on and some wedges to block her in place if I need to leave her for a bit or can set her in a bouncer seat or on the bed. As they get bigger and more mobile that part gets tougher and I usually only leave them if asleep and only for a very short time. I have even put "noise making" items on or near so I can hear if they move. Once they can stand it will be important they are taught to "help".
I could go on but really, I have gained nearly nothing mobility wise since my injury but hve gotten much stronger in the mobility I do have by weight lifting and riding my handcycle. I think this has helped tremendously. I think a power chair would have made getting around with the babies easier too but I am affraid to start using one. Many of the people I know that started using a power chair have lost mobility/ability and strength wich would affect my over all ability to care for my grandchildren. Right now I can do everything. Make bottles, feed, change cloths and diapers, pick them up off the floor(use my teeth on the "right" cloths some), play, and even put my grandson in and out of his car seat when I drive to the store(after he could walk).
Not every one is the same and different things work for different people. With a bit of help and improvision you two will do fine. If you want some ideas from an old fart Go to www.wcsports.org and look for James Watson and send me an e-mail. That eliminates some spam. Or just post here.
James
http://www.wnmh.org/...House_Calls.pdf
I'm a 46 yr c6/7 complete (no grip in hands). I use a manual chair and am 5' 10". My injury was after my kids were born and in school. However I began watching my 1st grandson at 14 days old. I now have 3 grand kids 2boys, 1 girl. Watching 1 girl, 1 boy now. I made some things that helped but mostly just learned ways to do things. We have many ideas for cribs and things that are accessable but never get most made(I only have them for 6-10 hrs 3-4 days a week). I usually find a way that works. As ar as holding the baby. Get a soft foam neck pillow and put it on your lap. You may need a support on the back side to keep it from bending. I use a plastic tray(from Sonic Drive-in) inside the cover. With no grip I can manuver and pick up the baby. It takes some learning and the cloths they wear can make things easier. I use my teath a lot. I know another c 6/7 complete that raised 3 girls and made some harnesses etc to get them picked up. I use a folding table for a changing table. It is up against the wall and I can have all supplies on the table. I have a soft pad down to put the baby on and some wedges to block her in place if I need to leave her for a bit or can set her in a bouncer seat or on the bed. As they get bigger and more mobile that part gets tougher and I usually only leave them if asleep and only for a very short time. I have even put "noise making" items on or near so I can hear if they move. Once they can stand it will be important they are taught to "help".
I could go on but really, I have gained nearly nothing mobility wise since my injury but hve gotten much stronger in the mobility I do have by weight lifting and riding my handcycle. I think this has helped tremendously. I think a power chair would have made getting around with the babies easier too but I am affraid to start using one. Many of the people I know that started using a power chair have lost mobility/ability and strength wich would affect my over all ability to care for my grandchildren. Right now I can do everything. Make bottles, feed, change cloths and diapers, pick them up off the floor(use my teeth on the "right" cloths some), play, and even put my grandson in and out of his car seat when I drive to the store(after he could walk).
Not every one is the same and different things work for different people. With a bit of help and improvision you two will do fine. If you want some ideas from an old fart Go to www.wcsports.org and look for James Watson and send me an e-mail. That eliminates some spam. Or just post here.
James
http://www.wnmh.org/...House_Calls.pdf
yahimabeliever, on Jul 12 2007, 09:51 PM, said:
I've read a previous post on the subject but am desperate for more info! I have also posted this same post on the "parenting" board, but it applies to both boards so the more help I can get, the better!
I'm Jamie and after lots of trying my husband and I are finally going to have a baby! He is a C6/7 quadraplegic and obviously finger movement is an issue when it comes to a lot of things, like holding a baby bottle, etc. I need anyone and everyone's advice on what you did with your baby!!! Anything...bottles, feeding, transporting, or ANY other baby equipment stories/ideas. smile.gif
Who can I contact or where can I find a crib for the baby that my husband can get his chair under? I've found a few online, but several of them are just pictures of ones that have been modified by individuals for their own family. I am not inclined in the field of carpentry! He's pretty tall, and has a power chair, so the chair sits up pretty high. And what about when the baby gets older and the mattress has to be lowered? Will the modifications mess that up?
THANKS SO MUCH IN ADVANCE! Again, ANY INFO is of help, I'm desperate...lol.
Jamie
I'm Jamie and after lots of trying my husband and I are finally going to have a baby! He is a C6/7 quadraplegic and obviously finger movement is an issue when it comes to a lot of things, like holding a baby bottle, etc. I need anyone and everyone's advice on what you did with your baby!!! Anything...bottles, feeding, transporting, or ANY other baby equipment stories/ideas. smile.gif
Who can I contact or where can I find a crib for the baby that my husband can get his chair under? I've found a few online, but several of them are just pictures of ones that have been modified by individuals for their own family. I am not inclined in the field of carpentry! He's pretty tall, and has a power chair, so the chair sits up pretty high. And what about when the baby gets older and the mattress has to be lowered? Will the modifications mess that up?
THANKS SO MUCH IN ADVANCE! Again, ANY INFO is of help, I'm desperate...lol.
Jamie
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