Solution to a problem...

Shari · #1 01-31-2004, 09:02 AM

Jacob is three now, and is off the vent. Â*He's stable enough that I feel like I can go into the living room or kitchen far a few minutes while he is napping. Â*A problem that I encountered is that he has no way of calling me when he wakes up. Â*His mist collar and pulse-ox prevent him from getting out of the bed and finding me, and without his PMV or his cap, he is unable to speak loud enough to call for help. Â*I have been so sad when I found him in his bed, awake, sitting up and crying his eyes out. Â*He makes no sound when he cries without this valve, so I couldn't hear him over the monitor. Â*He was in no medical distress (the pulse-ox would have alarmed), but it broke my heart to think about wanting your mommy, being scared and alone, and not being able to call for help.

So, I came up with a plan and it worked! Â*I took a picure of my self and Â*laminated it. Â*Then, I went to the hardware store and purchased a $12 wireless doorbell. Â*I took poster-putty and attached the doorbell and my picture to his bed, and we practiced using his "mommy button". Â*I would go out of the room, and my husband would say "where's mommy". Â*When Jacob would ding the bell (the reciever fit nicely in my pocket), I would run into the room and say "here's Mommy". Â*When we tried it out the next day, it worked. Â*Jacob woke up from his nap and rang the bell! Â*Now, I'm much more comfortable taking a shower, drying my hair, etc in the morning (after the nurse leaves but before Jacob wakes up) because I know that Jacob can call me. Â*It works better than a bell that he would ring would work because I can take the receiver around the house with me. Â*And, it's loud enough to hear over the hair dryer. Â*

Just thought I'd share- finally to find something that makes life easier for these kids!

-Shari

PS- to prevent Jacob from playin with it all the time, we just take it off the bed and put it on a high shelf when he's awake. Â*The poster putty makes this easy.

Ann · #2 01-31-2004, 10:17 AM

Great idea Shari! Â*Since Jack is immobile, I feel bad at times because he is either in his bedroom or on the couch just hanging out watching TV and he really has no way of getting our attention (he's only on his pulse-ox at night) and on the weekends especially we are always running around the house, inside and outside, doing things and I've always wondered how could I give Jack a way to get our attention. Â*I think you've found the solution. Â*My only fear is that Jack would have us running all the time once he figured out the cause and effect Â*

Â* I still think it's a great idea and we'll have to give it a try. Â*Thanks for sharing.

Ann

Jacob's Mom · #3 01-31-2004, 10:36 AM

I think that is an excellent idea, Shari. Jacob's way of getting my attention now is to take the vent off - when he is on. Otherwise, I am just constantly checking on him. Also, like Ann said about Jack, Jacob would probably keep us running once he figured it out. But, I think we may have to give this a try. Thanks for sharing.
Amanda

Triciasmom · #4 01-31-2004, 10:51 AM

we gave our daughter a bicycle horn...she just honks it when we don't here her over the monitor. I love your doorbell idea as well!

Clare

indiemum · #5 01-31-2004, 09:14 PM

VERY COOL IDEA. SMART BABY!!!!

Kelly

TeraNicole · #6 01-31-2004, 10:19 PM

Very cool idea!!! Thats genius actually!!!!

christyw · #7 02-01-2004, 08:16 AM

Shari,

Wow, I agree with the rest, that is a great idea. I never would've thought of such a genius thing to do!!

christy

Jacks Mum · #8 02-02-2004, 05:51 AM

That is a great Idea!

We have been given a communication device that has 8 big easy to press buttons, you put pictures on the cover and it records up to 6 seconds of voice etc.
As Jack is ill and back in hopsital, we have not tried it on him.
We are planning on programming them to say certain things (our daughters voice) Like "I need suction" "Mummy" "daddy" "yes" "no" "thankyou"
But, I guess we can put it in his bed so he can press these when he is awake - we have a monitor on so we can here his movements, alarms etc.

That is a much better option then relying on the ox pulse, it gives them the power to communicate!
Thanks for that Idea
Jessica