Helping friend with daughter in a cast?

[sidmand]

One of the little girls in our playgroup broke her ankle a few weeks ago. She was supposed to go into a more flexible cast last week (don't know the exact specifics) but while she had been walking around in the original cast, she then refused and something happened and now she's in a cast up to her thigh.

She can't play in the water, sand, or at a park. I know she needs to rest (her mother said if the blisters on her feet didn't get better she was going to need to go back and do something else). She's been telling her little brother it's her fault that they can't do anything fun :( Poor thing got hurt at a bounce house party and blames herself for going in the bounce house too (she's three, her brother is two).

I would like to do something...anything...for them. Originally I had offered to have them come over for some low-key playing here, just for a change of pace. But now the mom cancelled because the little girl just needs to rest. Any suggestions? I thought maybe we could even come over and watch a movie or color or lend our videos for a change? I also offered to watch the kids for a bit so the parents can get some adult time, but I'm not sure if they'll take me up on it. I know offering something concrete is the better way to go, but I'm not sure what to offer.

I can't imagine trying to keep DS out of sand, water, and parks and I'm so sad for them. What can I do?

[Wife_and_mommy]

How about indoor museums for kids or adults? Arts/crafts at home? A pizza dinner? A cupcake decorating afternoon?

Could you suggest to her mom that she call around the orthos in her city to try to find one who has waterproof casts. The only thing DS couldn't be near was sand.

How sad for the little girl. :(

[s7714]

When my DD broke her arm, one of our play group friends brought her a little gift basket with crayons, coloring stuff and little goodies that she could play with. She had a blast with the stuff for long time and I thought it was the sweetest thing.

I intentionally avoided setting up play dates when my DD first broke her arm, because even though we were at home she still didn't understand the concept of taking it easy and not over-using her arm. Whenever a friend stopped by to say hi she wanted to run around and play like she always did when her friends were over. If this little girl really needs to stay off her feet then having someone over can sometimes be like adding insult to injury, iykwim.

I think a little gift of a new video (if her parents are o.k. with that sort of stuff), coloring stuff, stickers, etc. would be nice. Even if it's not a lot, the fun of getting a present all wrapped up when you're least expecting it can brighten anyone's day!

[sidmand]

I intentionally avoided setting up play dates when my DD first broke her arm, because even though we were at home she still didn't understand the concept of taking it easy and not over-using her arm. Whenever a friend stopped by to say hi she wanted to run around and play like she always did when her friends were over. If this little girl really needs to stay off her feet then having someone over can sometimes be like adding insult to injury, iykwim.

That makes a lot of sense. It's especially hard to explain the a three year old, I know! I'm not sure about the waterproof aspect. I know they usually go to some of the big hospitals, so maybe that's not something they can do here? Or maybe they didn't think she would be in it long.

But that's a great idea to bring a wrapped present for her. I know they watch videos (although probably too many right now, but that can't be helped) and she likes arts and crafts. I think I'll put together something for her to play with and just drop it off.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[s7714]

Wanted to add a comment about the waterproof cast thing.

I've found the main reason why some orthos don't offer the water safe casts is because a lot of insurance companies don't cover it (or only minimally). We paid $30 out of pocket for a 4 year old's tiny half arm cast of the water safe stuff. It was basically $25 per roll of the material. $30 doesn't sound too bad, but when you get into full leg or larger you're looking at multiple rolls and it really adds up. Also, some orthos don't like to do the water safe casts depending on the location and position of the limb. If the water can't easily drain out of the cast (like on a bent elbow or knee), it can cause problems.

They do make air tight cast covers that allow people to go swimming (or for that matter bathe!) while wearing a normal cast. That might be something her mom could look into if she's going to be in the cast for a while. They're kind of a PITB to get on, but can be a sanity saver if you have a stinky child who won't keep her casted body part out of the water! ;) Our ortho has a source who'll give a discount to their patients on them--I doubt all orthos do, but it's worth asking. Here's a link to the manufacturer's site (who you can buy direct from) I also see them occasionally on ebay too: www.xerosox.com