AFO, DAFO, SMO ...

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...they all are orthotics. I have to honestly say that I do not really understand those differences among them, but on the other hand it is not that important, we have to trust professionals that they know what they do.

About 1.5 years ago we got our first orthotics, SureStep.

They made a huge difference in T's life. Suddenly she felt "safe", and her balance improved by 100%. She got suddenly "wings", energy, motivation, she suddenly understood that she "is able to" ...next such huge improvement happened when she realised she can communicate by using signs, and that people understands her (about that later). She could walk only with support, but still, that look on her face ..."I can" ...it took about one year when the first pair became too small. Already towards the end they started to cause more and more problems, and were pressing too much, still, she got another pair of the same model. Only 2 months after that new decision was made and they were changed for new model, DAFO.

They were individually made, with extra space inside. Now we have them for like 1,5 months, they seem to work well. No problems so far.

The only one never-ending problem is to find the right shoes for every season of the year. Every season the same problem again and again. Especially in Finland there can be really cold winters (minus 30 degrees Celsius), and in general, waterproof shoes are a must! Summers can be surprisingly warm, believe it or not. Also here in Finland we do have SUMMER. In a basic shoe shop or supermarket you can hardly find enough wide shoes, and still well "opening" ones. The only combination that work for us. Are they then sandals or walking shoes, or winter boots. Another chapter are the indoor shoes. But, during almost 2 years of wearing orthotics we learnt what works fine for us, sort of, and we are still learning. These days the biggest problem seems to be to find waterproof shoes, especially rubber-boot like. Stay tuned for examples.


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