Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The second Special Needs Swap Shop



This is LJ, the sixteen-month-old little boy who got Max's old Pony Gait Trainer. His mom, Jenn, blogs about him at Updates on Lewis Jack. Like Max, LJ had a stroke and seizures at birth. As Jenn wrote to me, "We have a beautiful, strong boy who brings us much joy; and we have been doing everything in our powers since to make sure he is happy and has the best intensive intervention plan in place as possible. It's an evolving thing- keeping our hope as we make our way through the unknown."

LJ reminds me of Max at his age—that smile, those cheeks. I was thrilled to see him sitting in Max's seat. I hope it helps him learn to walk in the same way it did Max. Go, LJ, gooooooooooooooooo!!!! Drive like a maniac! Make your parents have to catch you!

Now, if any other moms reading this have a Pony or gait trainer they no longer need, please email me about it (lovethatmax@gmail.com) and I can hook you up with other moms whose kids are in need of one. FYI, I mentioned to one mom that it might help to get in touch with the local United Cerebral Palsy association in your area and see if they have any ideas about loaners you might be able to get your hands on. You could also ask the company that makes the Pony, Sammons Preston, about trying one out, here's a list of current national sales reps. The company's phone number is 800-475-5036. And, with the help of your physical therapist, neurologist, whoever you can rope in, see if it's possible to have them write letters to persuade your insurance company to get one. That's what we did. I am not sure how things work if you do Medicaid, jump in if you have any advice on getting kids equipment that way.

Next up for grabs on the Special Needs Swap Shop:

The "Dome Alone" from Enabling Devices. This thingie really helped teach Max cause and effect (you press the bubble, the confetti swirls around as "Love Me Tender" plays) and also encouraged him to use his hands. This company has great toys, but I find it a little hard to justify their prices. So, here it is, free! I'll pick a random commenter to get it.

If you have a gadget or piece of equipment for your child that you need or would like to give away, email me at lovethatmax@gmail.com.

24 comments:

  1. Ok, please don't enter me in the giveaway as Charlie does not need another toy. I just wanted to say the Lewis and I's mom might be kindred spirits because OMG! My other boy name is Louis John--how close is that? Ok, I'm a dork.

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  2. I would love to get this for Christian - my 6 year old nephew. He is really learning these days how make things happen with his hands and his parents are confirming what they always knew - there is a lot going on in his sweet little brain!

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  3. Lewis Jack is one handsome little boy and looks like he is enjoying the pony:) Don't enter me in the toy comp, just dropping by to say hi:) Jen.

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  4. Hey Ellen, Enter me, please! Faith loves these things (her therapy center has one similar) but we don't have any at home. They are too expensive. BTW- I got the wonderful necklace in the mail, yesterday! PERFECT! Thnks, my friend!

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  5. What a great idea, Ellen! I was fortunate enough to meet a woman at the park, who had a child with Down Syndrome, and when I asked her if she'd like a vanful of preschool, durable learning aids..well, we became fast friends.

    It is such a great idea here...love it.

    Alexandra

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  6. Oh that toy looks perfect for my little guy. He loves music and is just figuring out how to make things work. It was nice to see Lewis Jack so happy in the pony. I was too late when you offered it up so I will email you to add us to the swap. Thanks! Janet jrepitt@hotmail.com

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  7. Hi Ellen,

    Enter me as well. They have this toy at therapy and Ana loves it (some days that is :)))).

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  8. Enter me, please!! Kendall is learning cause and effect. We have to prove it next month as she is evaluated for a power chair.

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  9. Oh my gosh, we would love to win that toy!! Peanut has one of those at school and they say she loves it. We are trying to find similar things for home. How perfect would that be!! L)

    I am goig to check out Lewis' website also. What a smiley little guy!

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  10. Just an FYI SnugSeat is actually the vendor of the PONY gait trainer. You can also direct people to AdaptiveMall (as their prices are much more reasonable)

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  11. Hey,
    I gave you a couple of blog awards, check them out on my blog

    http://lifeandtimesofshelly.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-have-been-given-some-boggy-awards.html

    Shelly :)

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  12. Don't enter me, we're past that stage, but what a great and thoughtful idea to pass along equipment and toys to families that truly need them. Warms the heart!

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  13. Marissa could use this- we're using a big mac button with recorded Mama singing on it.

    Something else that does something when she presses it would be helpful in PT sessions!

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  14. ooh - that looks great. I would love this for Miles. He is learning cause & effect but most of the typical toys are too hard for him to use by himself.
    Thanks,
    Kate
    kate.campbell0@gmail.com

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  15. This is such a great idea - I get a lot of stuff from other parents whose kids outgrow things. Here in our area, there is a non-profit that you can get equipment (chairs, standers, bikes, etc etc) for a small donation, it's so great! It's called Kids Mobility. I wish there was one of these in every state! Kids grow out of things so fast, and they have volunteer equipment folks who help to fit the equipment. I don't need the toy - Cici already has something similar a button with a confetti dome! Just wanted to pass along the non-profit - it works so well, even better than Craigslist!

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  16. Put us in the drawing. We borrowed this toy from our assistive technology department and could only keep it for 2 weeks, but Emma loved it! I didn't buy one since they are so expensive and there is always a long list of items to buy so we have to be selective. Winning one, however, would just be great!

    Love seeing the Pony in use. We are picking one up this week from another family in our area that outgrew the small size. I can't wait to see Emma in it!

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  17. You have such a good heart, generous and kind... Look at that smile and look at him on his feet, beautiful

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  18. Thank you for somehow, and I don't know how, always finding a way & the time to make our lives richer. Lewis loves the independence from his Pony and he is so fortunate to have it!

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  19. This is so great! I wish First Steps would plan a therapy tool swap! What a great way to pass on what you've used and get something new. Thanks for doing this.

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  20. Please enter us, Jailen would absolutely LOVE this toy! We have a stander that we don't use anymore. I'm really interested in a Pony too! Jailen has a gait trainer, & can walk in it, but I have to be hunched over pushing it along with him because he's not strong enough to move it with him yet.

    jlhlpc346@aol.com
    jara3456@gmail.com

    Thanks, Jessica

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  21. Please enter us - we're finally at the stage where the ot/pts have been using switches and I think he's getting it (maybe?). I hear that back east many states have swaps, but nothing on this side of the mountains.

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  22. Isaiah would LOVE that! Please enter us, too!

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  23. Ellen, all things happen for a reason. Im so glad this little guy got Max's gait trainer, he looks so happy in it, and last week Ryans PT brought him over a loaner, the EXACT same model, same color :)

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Thanks for sharing!



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