2nd/2 appointments to London orthotics this winter – Thank you again Oakley’s uncle Jonny for funding the new AFOs.
Amy and Nick covered £575 for measurements, scanning, and the initial gait lab analysis consultation; Jonny covered the £2630 for the manufacturing of the AFOs, the new custom shoes, gait lab & fine tuning, and fitting
The shoes are just as incredible perhaps as the AFOs as the base is custom designed for Oakley’s gait and maximising his stance standing and step taking. They are as light and as stiff as possible and the insert fits with the base of the AFO for the most locked in fit possible, as the aim is the maximum stability as possible. The biggest focus area is the hips. Everything from the ground up has this in mind, as the ankle and knee need support, whilst letting and promoting Oakley’s development with various step taking, and in physio this is comes in a great variety of whole body movement including side stepping, up and down boxes, angled slopes, balance challenges, and more.
A long day (9am all in the car, 12pm & 3pm appointments with Sam, Mcdonalds en route home again (Oakley loves a cheeseburger happy meal) and he still insisted on his full bath to bed routine so a 10pm bedtime after just an hour nap each way.
Physio session 14th Feb morning at home and the AFOs impressed immediately.
Step taking in AFOs gives a massive range of health benefits for Oakley as well as future prospects for independence including sit to stand transitions. Walking isnt the only goal or beneficial effect here, far from it.
We are really buoyed at home after a difficult winter with this major step and result in 2025. Oakley was still relying on though had effectively ‘grown out’ of his last pair of AFOs some weeks/month or two ago.
