I’ve been extremely busy with my business lately. I’ve moved into Research, development, consulting, and contract cut and sew operations, so it’s been keeping me hopping. I still have more and more orthotists, Doctors, and patients contacting me daily for bodysuit, brace tailoring, or other needs, so that keeps me going as well. It feels really good when a patient contacts me and gives me encouragement to keep going – when they tell me the relief that they (or their kids) get from the garments that I pour so much into, it really makes my day.
As an update with my kids – they are doing great in their Cheneau braces. My son is about a month into wearing his Cheneau full-time (which we hope he’ll only need to do for a few months, until we can pull the curve back a bit). Then he’ll start wearing his Tornado Suit more. We have found that clothing solutions that worked for my daughter (long-legged bodysuits paired with dresses), will NOT work for my son (for obvious reasons). He was always very thin, so we try to just go up a pants size, but they still slide quite a bit. So, of course, I went to the sewing machines and came up with a pants extension – I sew a 3″ strip of stetch knit to the top of the waistband, and a tight-fitting elastic around that. The extension goes up over the brace to the indent at the brace at the waist and holds tight, so his pants don’t slip down all day. When he wears shirts over the waist, you can’t even tell it’s there. The downside is that I have to sew the waist closed – so he can’t undo the snaps or the zipper – but, they are big enough that he can get them up and in place. And, most sweats and elastic waist pants work. I just did that on a couple pair of jeans we already had.
A Tornado Suit update – from what I hear, Dr. Morningstar is partnering with several Doctors around the country to get this on patients and tested. Last I heard, patients can get it for about $200 during the testing phase, which may only be until Summer, when it becomes a standard bracing option. Insurance won’t cover it at this point, but $200 is a steal in the brace world and you’ll have before and after x-rays to determine if it’s helping your curve before you leave the office with it. His link is on my sidebar and he can probably set you up with someone in your area if this is an option you’d like to try. And, don’t forget that for a limited time, I’m supporting the effort with a free bodysuit with each Tornado suit. He’s getting good data so far – just email him or call their offices and ask for the details. He’s excited about helping patients with Scoliosis!
Well, my assistant just came to me with issues from the production floor, so I must go. I pray each one of you has a blessed week and can find solutions to help you be more comfortable and more healed every day.