New Equipment for Mason

Yesterday Mason finally got his bracing!  He now has his very first pair of AFOs (Ankle Foot Orthotics) as well as refitted HKAFOs (Hip Knee Ankle Foot Orthotics).  The AFOs are green with dinosaurs on them.  Their purpose is to help maintain Mason's heel tendons stretch, keeping them in a proper position so they hopefully do not tighten and need surgery again.  Right now he wears them for an hour a day, with the goal being to work up to most or all of his waking hours. 

The HKAFOs have a different purpose.  These Mason had a long time ago but became unable to use when his tethered spinal cord caused contractures to his hips and feet.  The surgery road to fix all of that took over a year and a half because of unexpected complications.  Now that things have stabilized we're working to get these fitting properly again.  Why?

 

Because Mason has no ability to bear weight with his legs.  The HKAFOs hold his legs in proper position for standing.  The benefits to standing upright include strengthening his leg bones (which already suffer from osteoporosis so this is very important) and improving his bowel function (which can use all the help it can get). There are some developmental benefits as well. 

The down side to the HKAFOs is that Mason has no balance because of his level of paralysis.  He literally needs someone holding on to him to keep him from tipping over at all times. 

 

Enter Mason's Rifton Dynamic Stander.  This wonderful piece of equipment has straps that keep Mason from tipping over while in his HKAFOs.  It also has wheels that offer him the mobility of a wheelchair while he gets in his time upright.  The goal is to get several hours upright every day.  Right now he does 10 minutes.  It seems like such a short time but we are needing to make more adjustments to the HKAFOs and 10 minutes is giving us a good look at places where the pressure isn't right so we know what adjustments to make.  Next week we go back to the orthotist for round 2 of HKAFO adjustments. 

All these explanations are great but if you're like me you want to SEE Mason using the stander, right?  This is from today:



Mason does not remember using a stander before, so I wasn't sure what he would think of it.  He loves it and asks to do it all day long.  It is really hard to tell him that he can't yet, because we're still working to get the perfect fit on his HKAFOs!  I also thought some of you would enjoy this video because you get to hear a good bit of Mason talking.  He's such a chatter box!  I love my little man!