Using your noodle

So many times as Sophie's mom I have had to think outside the box, sourcing items for her that don't cost a fortune, but can be used in the same way as equipment that does cost a fortune.  Luckily Sophie's nurses and other moms of kids with special needs also find things to be used for kids like Sophie.  The neo noodle was one of those great finds.

Sophie is a flinger.  A wiggler.  A mover.  All that flinging, wiggling and moving in her bed because of her cerebral palsy equals bruised knees when she bangs the side of her bed.  For the last three years this has been a major problem and I have rolled blankets to try to protect her legs.  Our friend and support worker bought pillows to prop against the sides of the bed too.  These things both work but Sophie often kicks them out of the way really easily.

As you can see in the above photo, little miss escape artist already had her leg over the noodle and the edge of the bed in the 10 seconds it took me to take these photos.  (When Sophie is in her bed for the night the mattress lowers so she can't fall out.)  She thought these new additions to her bed were super fun.

One of Sophie's nurses told me about some pool noodles that she saw at Canadian Tire that she thought would be perfect for our little arm and leg flinger.  They are super soft and light, they are obviously washable because they are made to be in the water and they are bigger than a regular pool noodle.  They are kind of like a long bean bag with styrofoam peanuts in them.  Last week I lucked out and found them still in stock.

 

The fact that they are washable is really awesome, I can just throw them in the tub if needed.  I will probably roll them in a large blanket to add even more bulk to them, but it will save me from having to roll six large blankets total for both sides like I do now.  I will then put the whole deal under the top sheet to keep them in place.  Possibly the best thing is that they are the pink that match her room accessories. :)