The blog may be a 'slacker' but not me...

As if the blog were it's own entity, I know, but seriously it may look like I have fallen off the face of the earth, but I have been juggling the 'hip' to do's in my life like nobody's business. Of course, the number one priority is getting the 'Hip' Army, armed and ready to spread the word... how I am doing that is what is taking some time. Obviously there is no 'hip'py godmother that is funding the ventures I have, so I am coming up with other ways to make ends meet for this very important mission. Non-for-profit seems to be the way to go and that is the avenue I have started to explore. Think about it. How cool would it be for every ortho and Children's Hospital in the USA and beyond (thank you Australia and Canada volunteers!)to be armed with 'Hip' Survival Kits for every new parent whose child is diagnosed with dyplasia? Don't you wish YOU had it? I know I do. I also wish I had clothes for Emma back then but that would have been putting the BabyHipWear cart before the horse, so to speak.

In other 'hip' news, I am so excited the Babycenter support group I formed is rapidly approaching it's 100th member. Though it still does not come close to hip-baby.org (and no, this isn't a contest) it makes me so happy that another online segment is finding comfort within a website they already have a bond with... when we hit 100 there will be a celebration courtesy of BabyHipWear! Speaking of celebrations.

It's June 2 and in a little over a month on July 4, 2009, BabyHipWear will celebrate our 1 year birthday! Big things planned for that milestone and all the 'hip' customers are sure to benefit.

Stay tuned and continued healing...

WE WANT YOU!

EMMA WANTS YOU!

(This was close as I could get to the classic poster...
and much cuter don't you think??)








As if my plate was not quite full enough with running BabyHipWear, taking care of Emma Rose, being Director of Advertising for Stroller Traffic and trying to cook for the husband occasionally, I came up with an idea I just can't ignore.

If you saw the article below, there is a huge outpouring of frustration and sometimes anger at the lack of preparation and education from some folks (not all!) in the medical community once a diagnosis is handed down.

How cool would it be if there was a "Hip Dysplasia Survival Kit" handed out to EVERY parent in the United States when their child is diagnosed? I think it's cool. A lot of the 'hip' mamas I have bounced it off of think it's cool. So, the recruitment for the 'Hip' Army is on!

I'm reaching out to my customers, blog readers, and support group comrades to volunteer to be the representative of the 'Hip' Army for your state. There is definitely a commitment involved in that you would be called upon to visit every orthopedic pediatrician's office and Children's Hospital in your state to make them aware that these kits are available. You would fulfill orders for the kits, and need to be available via email as the 'contact' person for all new parents in your area, should they have general questions, need advice, etc.

I know so many 'hip' parents that do this a great deal but this is taking is a little further. Committing to raising awareness and helping other parents is what I strive for daily through my company and personally in telling my 'hip' story.

I will not rest until the job is done. I just need some help.

If you are interested, drop me a line through my site to let me know. Thank you.

Continued healing...

The A-HA! Article for the medical community...

Doctor's take note...That is the message to the medical community in the article The Missing Link: How Dialogue Can Transform Hip Dysplasia Care in this month's O&P Edge magazine (see end of post for link). I was honored to be a part of such a powerful article that highlighted how more often than not, the medical community does not educate new parents once they hand down a hip dysplasia diagnosis to their child.

My participation in the article was spearheaded by Betsy Miller, author of The Parents' Guide to Hip Dysplasia. I've said it before, but it bears repeating. Betsy's book is an invaluable tool in the hip journey.

The article will hopefully make it into the hands of medical professionals who maybe haven't taken the time to address concerns the parents have after diagnosis. They can and should offer practical advice (car seat, clothing) rather than leave most of these parents clueless as to what to expect when they leave the Dr. office with their now 'hip' kid.

http://www.oandp.com/articles/2009-05_02.asp

Continued healing...

Hot time, summer in the city...

Emma- circa Summer, 2008

It is summertime in April in the Big Apple. What happened to our beloved Spring? Why am I sweating as I type? (oh right, hubby said no air conditions will be put in windows until we have at least a week of warm weather-GREAT!-a lot to be said for central air)

Speaking of soaring temps...at BabyHipWear, what you need is what you get. I developed the HipSleeper because I heard from my customers that the traditional ones did not work for their 'hip'sters. I developed the HipCape because moms were killing themselves trying to wash their 'hip' kids hair without getting casts/harnesses wet. Now, just in time for the summer- SpicaShorts.

Just like their parents, the SpicaHip pants, the SpicaShorts will be available in both stabilizer and non-stabilizer bar options.

They are custom order, and not available in every print, but as with all products, the more we sell, the more we can add!

Now if you will excuse me, I am going to go stick my head in the ice box.

Continued healing...

Graduated!

Since Emma's left hip was still slightly shallow, she had been going for Xrays every 4 months versus every 6 months since coming out of the harness. Yesterday was her 4 month Xray, 1 day after my 37th Birthday. I figured that had to bring some luck, no?

It was nerve wracking to say the least. That is one of the hardest parts about hip dysplasia. You don't get the diagnosis you want which is "Great, the hip is in place, see you never!" There is constant follow up visits for years. Each follow up visit brings on the shakes for me... you just never know.

The great news is the left has caught up with the right and we don't have to go back for 6 months! We graduated!

Here's to hoping all of your follow up visits make you as happy as this one made me.

Continued healing...

What a difference a year makes...

Last year, at Easter, I was so happy because Emma was able to wear a dress and you could barely tell she had on her harness. I had been so self conscious for her with the harness and was dressing her in awful baggy outfits daily (this was prior to the launch of BabyHipWear). I was excited to shop for her Easter dress because FINALLY I would be able to buy something her size that actually fit! I went with a retro Pucci print. So mod!

This year, there is no more harness to concern myself about... I am thankful this Easter that Emma is therapy free and remind all the moms and dads out there that this too will one day be a reality for you and your little 'hip' bunny.

Happy Holidays and continued healing...

Unstoppable!

I hear so many stories from BabyHipWear clients about how depressed and down they are that they "lost' their squishy baby to a brace, harness or cast. I was there and I know, it is NEVER how you imagined life would be. I urge you to keep somthing in mind: this is temporary and you are helping your child to develop properly and avoid so much more pain and suffering in the long run by handling the problem NOW. Shift your thinking if you may for a minute to the joy you will experience later... I just was emailing a client today and told her to trust me, before she knows it her son will be bouncing off the walls. After just getting back from the park, I am exhausted... Emma did not stop and ran all over like a loon. I never would have dreamed this day would be upon me when she'd actually be walking, let alone sprinting! So keep the faith. They will get there. And then they too will be unstoppable.

Continued healing...