What do you think?

Question

Ok, My son may need to be fitted with a moulding band on his head because he has plagiocephaly (one side of his head is flat). The bands are £2000 and I dont have that kind of cash readily available, and the NHS doesnt fund the treatment as they see it as a cosmetic issue! What would you do if you were in my position, get a loan (bearing in mind I dont work) or fight with the NHS to fund the treatment? NHS have been known to pay for treatment for a few children but it all depends on the circumstances...... For the band to work it should really be fitted before 7 months of age, my son is 5 and a half months now.

Would appreciate any SERIOUS comments on this please.

We are in the UK and I think £2000 is around abouts $4000 in US money

Answer 1

I would start to fight the NHS, but in the mean time, start seeking other options and saving what you can. If you have to get a loan when the time comes, then you should do what is best for your son. First, look around for non profit organizations that help children in situations like yours and see if they can help. But I would at least try to fight this. This is not just a cosmetic problem, it can cause developmental problems if the misshapen skull affects the growth of the brain. But I would have a back up plan, such as a loan from a bank or family member. You have to take care of your son regardless, you will figure it out. Good Luck, I hope the NHS sees your side of things instead of just sitting behind their desks thinking about their pockets being full. Your son deserves better treatment than what they are giving you.

Answer 2

Either way I would do all I can to make sure that my child had as close to a normal life as possible. So I'm sure that fighting with the system will end up taking to long if your child needs the band in a month and a half I would get a loan. Whether you work or not, we need to do everything as parents to help our children. I'm not saying you do not have your child's best interests in mind, but it may be time to find another source of income because of your child's medical condition which from my understanding may cause future implications and you need to be prepared for it.

Answer 3

i'd say fight the nhs for it because they are willing to give peole boob jobs on the nhs which i would consider cosmetic and something that only affects the mental state of the ]person due to insecurties about the body which every1 has these people need phycological therapy not surgry i would say that your sons treatment is more of a worthy cause as we all know children can be cruel to some one who looks different which would cause your son distress in the future when he starts understanding and socialising. good luck.

Answer 4

OK, you're not going to want to hear this but....

If its considered a cosmetic issue, then its highly unlikely that this condition has any bad side effects for the child. The NHS is not a bottomless pit of money, and can only fund a limited number of things. If he really needed it, the NHS would fund it.

HOWEVER if it were my child, I'd fight like hell!

Answer 5

I really would get the band asap. I know you're not working right now but if you get the personal loan and then fight for them to reimberse you. My husband had a family member who needed a special wheelchair that they couldn't pay for, so they had a large family barbeque and asked everyone to donate money towards it (kinda like a fundraiser) The other thing you could do is go to a current affairs program and they can usually set up a fund for the public to make donations to.

Answer 6

I'm really not sure how this sort of thing works where you're from, but here in the states we do fund-raisers for kids who need help like that. Also here in the states you wouldn't be able to get a loan without having a job. But one thought for raising quick money would be to sell what you can on Ebay. Hope this helps. Good luck =)

Answer 7

Keep looking for a charitable source who might help. Expand your search area. Look under every nook and cranny.

If the hospital refuses to help (go talk to them in person, take your son), go explain your situation to a doctor who might fit your son at no cost to you. Check with every doctor on staff.

The child cannot go through life with a flat head. It's like my daughter, who was born with 6 toes on one foot. They will be made fun of and bullied all their lives for not being the same as other children.

Therefore, I'd go ask any relative plump in the pocket if they'd be willing to help. If not, and a loan is your only choice, do it. The child will thank you graciously when he is older.

Answer 8

How did the plagiocephaly occur in the first place? Is it a result of how your baby was delivered? Did they use forceps? If so, could the hospital be held responsible for this occurance and be made to pay for the band?

Answer 9

I just read about this in a magazine and they said there was an alternative for $600. They said according to a new study from Wake Forest University Bpatist medical Center in Winston-salem, North Carolina, an off the shelf, Adjustable helmet that costs $600 is equally effective and cures babies in the same amount of time. About 4 months. And here's the website where you can get more info. www.danmarproducts.com. Or you can ask your pediatrician to refer you to a orthotist who can order one for your child.

Answer 10

Okay,
Well with only a little while to go I'd fight for it. But i'd also have a loan application ready to go as a back up plan. Children are worth the effort no matter what the cost or effort.
Good luck