I'm so fortunate to live in Canada where health-care doesn't cost a million dollars. What's very annoying is waiting for funding. I've got to get AFO's, and no one really knew where to start so it's been a lot of running around trying to figure it out.
I got a consult at the orthopedic clinic to see if I meet physical criteria for funding, then have to wait two weeks to get a prescription from one of my specialists. After that, the orthopedic clinic has to fill out and send the paperwork and I will wait even longer. If I do get the funding, then it means waiting to get molds, and having them made into AFO's. Total wait time: 50 million years. However, it's a step in the right direction and I'll take it!
While I was calling the specialist to book my appointment the receptionist who happens to be a chiropractic student asked me my diagnosis. She was the very first person in the medical field to know exactly what EDS was! I was floored, but in a good way.
After Taiko last week I knew wearing the ankle braces was not an option. We have to either wear bare feet or socks in the studio and my braces slide on the floor. I hate wearing shoes so I was pretty happy about that. I ended up having to take off the braces because I had no traction. That meant my ankles were a stretchy mess and all over the place. This week, I have a new game plan. I resorted back to using Leuko-tape for the stability, and super-glued that stick-mat stuff I was talking about on the bottom of my feet. Hopefully it will provide stability and traction. If it doesn't work, I'll find a different way. Take that bendy ankles!!!
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is not path and leave a trail."
Hiya,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it's not just me that totally destroys their braces! ;^D
my thermoplastic wrist braces usually last 5 months before i smash them, and my ankle braces a little longer (although my most recent set fell apart in 4 months). i have no idea why, my friends dont seem to have this problem. I'm small too, and very strong (but with annoyingly weak and damaged ligaments adn tendons) so maybe thats something to do with it?
but luckily i live in the uk with the lovely NHS! lots of people whinge about the state of the NHS but i'm certainly getting my money's worth!
and a tip- i place a few strips of either gaffa, duck or zinc oxide tape on the bottom of my ankle braces and it makes them live a little longer and provides a fair amount of grip. and have you tried stinking those 'non-slip' stickers (designed to be used in a bath or shower) to the bottom of them? they're expensive but fantasic :^D
great blog, by the way.
fiona