Mum's STEPS to help others
Published 1 Apr 2012 12:00
0 Comments
Share this
click to enlarge
First time mum: Katie in her plaster with her mother, Holly, who said she was 'very nervous and cried a lot' when hip dysplasia was confirmed by the hospital
A MUM wants to raise awareness about a rare condition that left her daughter in a body plaster cast before her first birthday.
Holly Skivington's daughter, Katie, was born with a hip socket that was not fully rounded - causing the hip to slip out of the joint.
She was diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia when she was eight months old, but earlier diagnosis could have saved her from uncomfortable treatment.
Holly, who lives in Lower Basildon, noticed her daughter's hips clicked and that one leg was around an inch longer than the other, but did not know why.
She said: "I noticed the differences but Katie was my first baby and I didn't know anything about Hip Dysplasia. My sister in law was the first person to mention it.
"I was a very nervous first-time mum and cried a lot when it was confirmed by the hospital. I was very scared because I knew nothing about it."
She added: "Katie was in plaster - from the middle of her torso and down her legs - and splints for nearly a year when she should have been able to explore her new world.
"She couldn't move freely and I had to change her nappy through a tiny hole in the plaster. It wasn't comfortable for her."
Earlier diagnosis would have enabled Katie's hips to be corrected when she was first born.
Holly added: "She would've been put in a harness as a newborn if we had spotted it sooner. But not enough people know of the condition, or the signs to look for, and I would like to raise awareness.
"If I can help one family going through what we have, that will be fantastic."
Katie, who has x-rays every six months, is now two-and-a-half and goes to Sparklers Pre-school in Upper Basildon, where she is able to play with her friends and run around - despite her legs being slightly weaker than other children of her age.
Holly and husband, Daniel, have received support from nationwide charity STEPS, which offers video tutorials, advice and guidance to families affected by Hip Dysplasia. www.steps-charity.org.uk
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 29 Mar 12
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
