Overall comfort in prone (lying on tummy) position is fundamental in quality of life of any child affected by Cerebral Palsy. Many kids do not like to lie on their tummy for various possible reasons:
1. their respiration is challenged when their weight lands on the chest and the chest is too weak for that activity
2. They are unable to move their head freely and therefore their heads are stuck in certain position
3. Their arms are stuck under their trunk when they are in prone position. They do not have the ability to free their arms for weight bearing.
4. They are so stiff that the entire trunk is rested only on a few points. Even distribution of the body weight is essential to the comfort of prone position
5. Their legs defile gravity and therefore remain stiff in the air.
Improved comfort when this girl lies on her tummy has made such a huge upgrade in her quality of life. We have seen how she is a lot more comfortable in supine (lying on her back) and now we observe the same when she lies on her tummy.
Here in Jan 2018, she looks a lot happier and relaxed when she lies on her tummy. Other important observantions can also be made:
1. 15 months ago, her head was stuck in "face down" one position and she was unable to change her head position. Now her head begins to have the new found freedom to move to the side.
2. Her arms were stuck under her trunk and were not able to free herself just 15 months ago. With the reduction in overall spasticity and the release of her arms, she is beginning to bear weight with her forearm and palm.
3. She was so stiff 15 months ago that her entire trunk was supported only by her weak chest while her pelvis and legs were in the air without any contact with the bench. Now she is a lot more relaxed and her pelvis and legs finally come in contact with the bench. The weight of the entire trunk is now more evenly distributed between the upper trunk, the pelvis and the legs. That really helps with the improved overall comfort of the position.
Do not miss this opportunity of helping to reduce your child's spasticity and improve his / her mobility.
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