SPICA PARENT'S NAME:

Jenna

SPICA BABY'S NAME:

Olivia

SPICA BABY'S AGE WHEN HE OR SHE WAS FIRST CASTED:

24 months

WEEKS IN THE CAST:

36

FAVORITE SPICA JOURNEY MEMORY:

When the cast came off and watching our girl splash around in the bath for the first time in months!! We did still have some fun in the cast with a modified skateboard so she could travel around the house and explore on her own!

BIGGEST LESSON LEARNED:

That your child and you can handle so much more than you expect. You will survive and it will be so worth all the surgeries and casting. DDH families are so strong!! Another one is the double nappy trick- nothing worse than a wet spica cast!

WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU KNEW:

How careful you must be once the cast is off. There is still a long road to strengthening those legs and hips again. Take it slow and one day they will be away running and jumping along with all the other kids.

FAVORITE GEAR OR MUST HAVE ITEM:

Bean bag chair and lap tray for eating craft etc. Small wheelchair or large pram. You need to get out and about, it's important to try and keep life as normal as you can.

FINAL THOUGHTS OR ADVICE:

It's a really tough journey but you will absolutely survive. Take the help when it's offered and be honest with friends and family if you're having a bad day or not getting any sleep. There's not a lot of information out there about DDH and the treatments, try not to be offended. People will stare and ask very personal questions- some will think you did this on purpose to your child. It is important to remember how well your child will adapt and how your whole family will be stronger together because of this hip journey. Don't sweat the silly comments they just don't understand. Only another hippy family can truly get what you're going through so join a support group, even if it's just online. Take care and I wish all hippy families the best! xx