Mom looking for advice

[LauraD]

I am the mother of a 9 year old girl who is a T-12 complete. June 15, 2000--date of SCI. I am looking for other parents of SCI kids, or people who received their SCI at a young age. My daughter is a determined child who really hasn't let this slow her down at all. She recently had a mitrofanoff done and cathed herself for the first time on 1/6 and has now become independent with it. HURRAY!! I am looking forward to hearing from you. THANKS!

[Sci Mom]

Hi LauraD,
My daughter is a T11/T12 complete. She was older than your daughter when she was injured--she had her car accident two days before spring break her senior year of high school. She was 18 (it'll be three years in March). I don't have any experience with young kids and SCI, but I can tell you this much: let her do as much as she can on her own. Every step toward independence is a victory. You won't always be there to help/protect/do for your daughter; but you know that! I also know that it gets better...it really does. If you have specific questions, please don't hesitate. You'll find all kinds of help on this forum, and lots of great people with tons of experience. If you want to talk about being a Mom of a SCI daughter, feel free to email me anytime...THAT I can relate to!! http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif
SCI Mom

[M.Elston]

Shriners' Hospitals in Philly, Chicago, and northern CA have SCI centers for kids. They treat only kids, and we have met several very young kids during my DD's care at the Chicago hospital. I don't have the phone #'s here at my desk, but they are very easy to look up on the web. They do trips, and other gatherings for these young people. It can't hurt to get in touch with them, any services they provide are free to you.

M.Elston SCI Mom to 15YO incomplete L2-3

[Wise Young]

I also have heard really wonderful things about Shriner's hospitals and the facilities that they provide for kids. Wise.

[jfarmen]

I am the mother of a 13 year old son who is a paraplegic T11 due to a sledding accident 12/26/01. He has been to Shriner's in CA twice, wonderful place. Great doctors and information. They will follow him until he is 21. Also got a service dog from Loving Paws in Santa Rosa, CA paid for by Shriner's. Molly is a beautiful black lab that has made my son's eyes sparkle...she is a great companion and friend. Spent 3 weeks in dog school in August..best thing we ever did.
If you would like more information please e-mail me.

[LauraD]

I first of all want to thank everyone who has responded to me. I feel so good knowing others are there. I am definetly going to be learning alot from here. I really appreciate all the wonderful help. I am interested in hearing more from you Jodie. Our kids aren't that far apart in age and I think I could learn from you. THANKS!! http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Matt's Mom]

First of all I changed my member name to Matt's Mom, and I incorrectly listed his injury date--it has been one year 12/26/00. I do have a lot of information if you have an e-mail address we can chat.

Jodie

[marmalady]

To Jodie, aka Matt's Mom;

I laughed out loud when I saw your new 'handle'; my son is Matt, also, although a bit older than your Matt. When he was in acute care, and then in rehab, the nurses got so confused over what to call me because my last name is different than Matt's, I finally just told them to call me "Matt's mom"!

Good luck with your boy and welcome to the forums!