Britax Traveller Plus EL

Hello RettGirls!

This week at RettGirl we are featuring the Britax Traveller Plus EL car seat. You can find this incredible car seat in our Product Reviews under Positioning.

We have had this car seat in our van for about a year now and we are so glad we do! We had originally tried to purchase a different one at twice the price when the order taker on the phone had me take a look at this one online. She mentioned the comfort, durability and headrest over and over. I was sold, and it arrived within 2 weeks.

We call it "Abby's Lazy Boy." It is so soft and cushiony. With the headrest or wings, as they call them, we have not had one incident of head flopping. The only bad thing I can say about it is I am pulling a sleeping child out it every time we go to take her out of the van. That is not always a bad thing though. Sometimes when nothing else works to get her to sleep...into the van she goes. A drive or 2 around the block usually does the trick.

Is this car seat just what you've been looking for? Do you have one and want to share your review with us?

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From the company website:

Britax Traveller Plus – a forward-facing car seat specifically designed for children with special needs.

The Britax Traveller Plus car seat model meets USA standards (FMVSS 213) for safe and secured travel for your child in a vehicle.

•Forward-facing car seat for children 22 – 105 lbs. (10 – 47.6 kg)

•Appropriate for children with mild to severe disabilities

•“Thigh Depth" should be equal to or greater than the “Seat Depth" (within + or – 1 inch) to promote a proper seating position

The Britax Traveller Plus includes the following standard features:

•Height-adjustable Headrest

•Removable & Washable Fabric Cover

•5-Point Harness (extended lengths of 3" on the belt and the crotch strap)

•Foam Abductor

•Tether Strap – used with ALL configurations

•LATCH Strap – used for children between 22 and 48 lbs (10 kg & 21.7 kg)

•Recline Bar – installs the car seat at a 26° angle for children that need assistance maintaining head control

•Pad Kit to adjust the amount of support for your child

•Buckle Guard


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Need I say more? I haven't met a family that has one that doesn't absolutely rave about it!

Hope you all are have a wonderful week! Stay safe!

http://rettgirl.org/2011/08/britax-traveller-plus-el/


Terri V~For RettGirl

Stylin' in Cardboard?!

Good day Rett Girls! Today we have a guest blogger! Stefanie Gutierrez gives us the scoop on her daughter's new adapted chair....made from cardboard!

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After receiving Anna’s adaptive stroller and feeding system earlier this year, we were at a crossroads, as most of my fellow Rett-mama’s can relate to. We were thankful for the chair that would help keep Anna nice and straight and position her really well, but we were sad that she spent most of her days in it. Anna is non-ambulatory and can’t sit on her own.

So she had breakfast in it. Then her morning therapy sessions. Then her snack. Then lunch. Then dinner then….

What happened when she just wanted to watch television with her brother, Gabriel? When she just wanted to “read” a book with us or “color” on her iPad? If we weren’t able to hold her, she was in that blessed chair that we were all – including Anna – sick of.

We were looking around for a relaxing chair… A lounge chair of sorts that Anna could just relax in and she knew was just for her down time. I had heard bean bags were great options for some.

I kept thinking about when Gabe was three, and how he had this little red Ikea chair. Anna should have something like that, too, I thought.

Enter Adaptive Design. Dr. Sasha at the Rett Syndrome Clinic at Montefiore had suggested it at one of our prior appointments. After a quick phone call, we had a very informal get-together with Antoinette, one of the brains behind the project. It seems she can create anything you’d like out of any possible reusable material on the planet. We walked in and they had an entire showroom full of chairs of any kind – think rocking chairs to high chairs to booster chairs – all made out of 100% cardboard.

We explained to Antoinette the desire for this lounging chair we had in mind and she immediately grasped what we were going for. Within a week they had built a chair for Anna out of cardboard. It has a pummel to keep her positioned correctly and a Velcro wrap keeps her upright. A tray fits in the front. The cherry on top? A local artist who donates their time and talents to Adaptive Design painted the chair in colors of Anna’s choice and her favorites… Think purple, butterflies, flowers, ladybugs. It was delivered a few weeks later and it is her relaxing chair. Exactly what we wanted.

Take some time to check out their website: http://www.adaptivedesign.org/.

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Thank you for sharing Stefanie! If you would like to share something with all the Rett Girls out there, send me your story!

Terri V. for RettGirl

Our Marvelous Media Category!

Good Day RettGirls!

This week at RettGirl.org we are featuring our Media tab under our Product Reviews.

There is so much to find here that can help you and your girls. Teachers and caregivers have all used our media category to teach themselves a little more about our girls and what works for them.

What can you find here? Let's take a look.

Media

Books-We have online books, Children's Books, Education in Rett Syndrome books, Nutrition, Care and more ...

Music-Personalized CDs. GirlPower2Cure CD; controllers, RettComposers, devices ...

COOL ALERT! It's a large-button controller to control songs on an iPod!

Software-Free software sites, Recommendations, Sites for Teachers and Speech Pathologists ...

Video-Websites, Devices, Video suggestions, Educational videos, ASL ...

Websites-Disability resources, Government offices, Product resources, App reviews, Software sites, Free Educational Programs for the classroom sites, and much much more ...

We are always learning and growing for you here at RettGirl.org. If you have suggestions or anything to add to what you find at RettGirl, we would love to add and share with all of our families living with Rett Syndrome.

We hope you find something here that can help!

And please feel free to share with your schools. My daughter's teacher has RettGirl.org bookmarked and uses ideas from here for her entire classroom!


Have a great week,

Terri V-for RettGirl

Back to School!

Good Day Rett Girls!

With the new school year quickly approaching we want to remind everyone about our School Stuff category at RettGirl.org!

As the new year starts I know we are all anxious about new school, new teachers, aides and IEP's.

Our School Stuff category is a place for everyone to use as a resource ... an abundance of information is just a few clicks away. Our resources are gathered from people all over the country. We welcome your additions, too!

Here is the place where you and your daughter's team can find information on books, websites, resource papers, software and links about Education and Rett Syndrome! Tons of stuff here that really goes into how a RettGirl learns. You will find invaluable information on:

Apraxia and how a RettGirl's brain works with her body
Eye gaze
Patience
How to ask
How to respond
Lack of Consistency does not mean lack of intelligence
Therapy Tips
Equipment and software that works

We have invaluable papers we urge you to go over with with your child's team.

Linda Burkhart's- Multimodal Communication Strategies for Children Who Have Rett Syndrome

RJ Cooper's-About "Girls with Rett Syndrome"


OTHER SECTIONS:

Communication

Websites

Sensory

Positioning

Care Notes

IEP Bank


Apple iPAD page with info and helpful apps


Eyegaze System Hub for sharing experiences/ideas with others who have the same device

We urge you to pass this information on to your teachers, schools and therapists!

Have a great day!

Terri V~For RettGirl

Yes/No HD Simplified Touch-Revisited

Hello RettGirls.

After meeting so many people this weekend who showed an interest in Abby's iPad (and the programs on it) I wanted to revisit a previous post where I demonstrated the app YES/NO HD by Simplified Touch.

There have been a few changes. The best is the whole app with all the features you will see in the video below, are now included for the low price of $3.99. You will see in the video that this is more than worth the price for what girls like ours are looking for.

Good Day RettGirls!

This app and MORE can be found by clicking on our iPad review button on our home page or by clicking here.

Below you will find a video demonstration of this incredible app and all of its features!

Enjoy!

Terri V~For RettGirl

X Panda R82 High Low Dynamic Seating System

Good Day RettGirls!

This week I want to tell you about the X Panda R82 High Dynamic Seating System.

I came across this awesome seat last week while visiting am incredible Rett family. Their daughter Brooklyn had the X Panda R82 High Low Dynamic Seating System that you see above.

You can find this system at RettGirl.org in our Product Reviews under Positioning and Mobility!

I was so impressed I took out my phone and starting clicking away. Not only could they use this as a TV chair, they could use it for just about anything.

They took it to the table where it can be pumped up or down to fit whatever table or desk she is at. It has lateral side rests that keep her from leaning (an all important function with RettGirls)

It has an incredible head rest. Belts, straps and even a vest for those with extremely low tone.

Not only does it go up and down it can be tilted for feeding or for sleep. It has inside and outside bases for the ability to cruise the house or the neighborhood.

This X Panda R82 High Low Dynamic Seating System comes in 4 sizes and has many more accessories!

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From the company website:

x:panda is a multi-adjustable dynamic seat, delivered in 4 different sizes - each seat with up to 10 cm in seat width and depth adjustment coupled with sliding back growth.

The back is dynamic, making it possible for the child to extend and push back against relatively light resistance and then regain the desired sitting position. The back is lockable which could be preferred in feeding situations. The back can also be angled to make it possible to seat the child with either an open or closed hip angle.

Accessories include:

Head supports For correct position and support.

Non-dynamic gas spring

Swing-away side supports

Fixed side supports

Vests and belts For added support in a variety of possibilities.

Overarm supports To support the upper arm. The support is adjustable in height and width.

Tray (Please find more tray options in the accessories section.)

Arm rest for tray Provides forearm support.

One size
Toy bar for tray Grab rail fits in the same position.

One size
Grip handle for tray

One size
Quick lock For fast and easy adjustment of the side supports.

One size
Foam back plate Fills out the gap between seat and back.

Armrest Adjustable in height and angle.

Seat wedges Provide control and positioning.

Activity center

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I really do think you will LOVE this all-in-one Seating System!

Have a great week!

http://rettgirl.org/2011/07/x-panda-r82-high-low-push-chair/

TerriV~For RettGirl

Your Chance to Win a $15,000 Eyegaze Computer!

Good Day RettGirls!

Oh how I wish I qualified for this ... but since I work with Girl Power 2 Cure, I am not eligible.... but YOU ARE!

The MyTobii P10 is THE system Abby has been tested on, the one most used in Rett Syndrome...at least with the girls we know. AND Girl Power 2 Cure is raffling one away!

Can you imagine? A voice for your child? You can ask her what's wrong, what she wants? She can tell you she loves you.... She can tell you what hurts?

How many of you have dreamed about an eye gaze system? I know that I wish we had one. I wish every single day.

Here's your chance to get one ......

All while raising funds to support Girl Power 2 Cure! No more fighting with the schools and insurance if you win???

How does it work?

>>for those in need of a system<<

Rally your friends and family to purchase tickets in your honor! If their ticket is drawn, you win the MyTobii P10 Eyegaze System and they win a $500 Visa Gift Card.

**Open to US Residents Only**

You print our RAFFLE FORM AND TICKETS, collect donations (by check or online), and mail in the completed forms and tickets.

You can also start a TEAM PAGE to get online donations for your team.

REMEMBER: Whether you get donations online or send checks via mail, you must mail completed RAFFLE FORM AND TICKETS to Girl Power 2 Cure for them to count.



>>for those wanting to support a team/person in need<<

PRINT RAFFLE FORM AND TICKETS and mail with donation to:

Girl Power 2 Cure
2891 Breakers Court
Amelia Island, FL 32034

Or see if they have an online team if you would like to donate with a credit card. If not, contact them to see if they are interested in having a team so they can take donations online!

Visit the P10 RAFFLE WEBPAGE for more information and official rules.


KEY LINKS:

DOWNLOAD THE
RAFFLE FORM
AND TICKETS

DOWNLOAD THE
INFO FLYER

START AN ONLINE
FUNDRAISING PAGE

Good luck to EVERYONE!!!


Terri V~For RettGirl