{Seating Clinic and a Need for Speed}

Last week we took a trip to seating clinic to find some proper seating for our little monkey.  Jayden is a tricky boy to find proper seating because although his supportive needs are not that high his safety and durability needs can be hard to find a match.  Unless you have seen Jayden in action you probably just wouldn't understand his need for speed.  He never stops. It partly due to the fact that he's a boy and he's two years old but most of it is due to his head injury -- his regulatory controls are just not there.

He has this need to climb that just can not be satisfied.  At times it can be difficult to watch.  Just imagine you're laying in bed and your body is aching and you just can't find that perfect spot -- tossing and turning trying to find comfort.  That's a good description of Jayden -- only it never stops unless he is restrained in a chair.  As soon as we put him in his high chair or stroller you can just see him melt and find peace as if this huge weight was lifted off him.

So we are trying to find that perfect chair to help him find comfort and also safety.  We ordered him the new riffiton activity chair which will work great for him.  I've always liked this chair and tryed to get it for Angela last year.  The main feature that I love is the fact that it's vynal -- I can wipe it all down with no yucky fabric to hide dirt and drool. We still have a big need for a wheelchair or adaptive stroller, but we wanted to get the activity chair first so insurance would not give us a hard time.  Jayden previous got a transport chair but it's just not appropriate for his new life.  It does not hold his equipment without tipping over and it is just not a good fit for his body. 

For now he is using a nice stroller that we purchased and it works ok, but again the safety aspect is huge for Jayden.  No typical stroller has the type of five point chest harness we need to keep him put.  Yes many trach vent kids use typical strollers but Jayden is not your typical kid.  He's kinda a mix of a big fluffy teddy bear and a little bit hulk hogan.  

Soon Jayden starts gymnastics which should give him an outlet to climb and tumble in a safe environment -- in addition to the other two gym classes both the little ones attend on a weekly basis.  Angela will be in preschool yoga and Madison starts swimming and field hockey.  So fun -- so exciting.

I guess all the Owen's kinda have a need for speed.