Alex's first day was an adjustment day.... which means it will take him some time to adjust to wearing the helmet. Which is a polite way of saying that he was fussy. Over the next five days, he will wear it more each day then he will be wearing it all the time. How long he will have to wear it depends on how quickly his head improves.
We thought the helmet would be like a real football helmet - tight and fitted to his head. Well, duh. His head has to grow so the helmet is actually loose on him. The helmet allows his head to grow into the spaces to make his head round again.
I've been getting a lot of advice from other moms who decided to do this or not do this. I've decided I'm ignoring everyone's opinions because Jon and I feel this is important to do. The helmet is controversial, which in my opinion is utterly and completely stupid. Noone bats an eye when you spend money to straighten your child's teeth but you want their head and face to look normal and people judge you. I'm not trying to get Alex to look perfect, I want him to look normal.
Fact: People's perception of beauty depends a lot on facial symmetry.
Fact: Tiger Woods is hot and has one of the most symmetrical faces known to man.
Fact: Twins are always going to be compared side by side, and Nate looks normal.
Fact: I am the type of person who would feel guilty the rest of my life if Alex's head was misshapen and we didn't do the helmet. So is Jon. I would never forgive myself.
And a really big fact: Insurance companies are in the business to make money. Never think they decide what to cover or not cover based on medical necessity. RSV is a very serious virus that can cause permanent lung damage to preemies. Insurance companies have decided it is cheaper to let babies be hospitalized for RSV than it is to pay for the vaccine for those at-risk. So the fact that insurance does not usually cover the helmet in no way, shape, or form means that it is not important or necessary.
Off my soapbox now.
Nate is fascinated by the helmet and tries to grab it, thinking it is a new toy. I'll be polite and say Alex doesn't like it, when what I really mean is that Alex starts crying when Nate grabs it and knocks him over. Oh Nate, just wait until Alex figures out how to head-butt you with it. Then you'll be sorry.
1 comments:
People are so absolutely ignorant and I truly hope that, as difficult as it may be, that you are able to ignore the nonsense coming out of their mouths. You are doing EXACTLY what I would do - and if it is important to you and your little family then really, that's all that matters.
As for Nate... watch out buddy... your brother is going to whoop your butt with his helmet! You think it's funny now but you won't be laughing when he comes after you!! hehehe....too cute!
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