6 replies to this topic

[Sarah08]

Hi,i'm new to this site.My husband and I were just married,he is a c-5 and c-6 quad.We are expecting our first baby in early April.I was wondering if anyone had any advice that might help him relax a little about being with the baby and helping with it.
Thank you

[kdenon01]

No advice.
But congratulations!!!!!

[brainandspinalcord]

Congratulations! I'm due in early May with my 3rd, my first was born in April as well, it's a great time of year to have a baby
As far as specific advice, in the early months pretty much all interactions revolve around comforting, feeding, and changing. Depending on his arm function he'll probably be able to help the most with comforting.
I think I'll make a post about a recent blog article we did on parents with disabilities, there are some great resource links incl. adaptive equipment.
Good luck and congrats again!

[ParaforGod]

Congrats and I know you both will do well. My Granddaughter is going on 2wks. and I have done better than I thought I would but am doing more of my arm exercises to build up, upper body strengh so as the baby grows I will be able to hold her better. Im a T4 and don't have great balance.
I wish you all the best and I know things will work out for you all.

[castorshake]

Congratulations! my second son was born in December last year (31st). My first is 2 and a half now.
I am T5/6/7 so no stomach muscles but plenty of arm and chest strength.
Things I can do ..absolutely anything in an emergency. When they spill that hot cup of tea you had on the sideboard over their face you are suddenly in the bathroom soaking their face in cold water under the shower and you never quiet work out how you managed it ..but you do.
But on a daily, practical basis I can get them both dressed, the baby is easiest if he is on his bed or our bed as reaching down to the floor is quite hard. nappy changing likewise, easier if on a bed or something the right height, the older one is easy as he can almost dress himself now.
I can pick the baby up using a sort of scooping motion with the crook of my arm from the floor or bed or wherever. I don't do much in the way of feeding because of the inherent mess which is difficult to deal with from a wheelchair. dribble and puke end up everywhere, get on your hands, get on your wheels, get tracked round the house...it's just not worth the effort. I do occasionally feed the baby if his mum is holding him and doing all the mopping up.
I can help with bathing the baby but would not attempt it on my own unless desperate. too much risk.
I can sit both on my lap and we have never owned a baby buggy/pushchair/pram for the simple reason that we have my lap and my lap comes with it own wheels!
I carry them when we are out and about, I have never found a need to strap them on, kids are clever, they balance well. I can wheelie up kerbs at speed with the oldest on my lap and he loves it. They both love going downhill, although the baby can only gurgle and blow bubbles to show how much he enjoys it.
Before the first one was born I was quite scared as too what kind of a father I would be, I will never play football with my boys but then again I can go kite flying and many other things that never occurred to me before they where born. So although there are many things that you wont do that maybe your dad did with you there are plenty of things that you can and will do. (And granddads are very useful for filling the gaps if they are available.)
At the end of the day enjoy them, they will keep you awake for nights on end, they will frustrate and annoy you, they will throw tantrums in shops etc. but they will learn to walk by hanging on to the back of your chair, you will read them stories while they are cuddled up on your lap and they will get such a kick out of "pushing" you around the house, garden, wherever (just don't forget to keep pushing as well, there is only so much weight a toddler can push!)
I wouldn't swap mine for legs that worked and I don't care how many beaches that means I will never walk across!

But remember, ALWAYS ALWAYS check to see where his/her/there fingers, toes, legs, arms etc are before you move your chair. Both boys love crawling under my chair and they both went/are going through a really unhealthy fascination with spokes. That's a finger mince just waiting to happen! ALWAYS ALWAYS CHECK.... ALWAYS

Edited by castorshake, 22 September 2008 - 09:58 PM.

[E-DOG]

Suggestions? Yes.

Buy a T.V.
Who the hell needs kids?

E

[carole338]

Hey E-dog. I had a TV and had 2 kids anyway. But that was way before cable.