Hi,

 

I am mostly a lurker with this group but I am a parent of a child with very severe CP.  I am also, somewhat conveniently, an occupational therapist.  There are shoes that replace an orthotic, generally an AFO (ankle foot orthosis).  I don't know the brand name off hand as they are not often used...I could find out fairly easily.  These shoes are fairly expensive.

 

Generally, here in Ontario, most people stick with braces as they are covered by the provincial health plan and insurance, whereas the shoes are not.  I generally suggest buying a shoe that is about two sizes too big and removing the inner sole (as the support for the child comes from the brace vs. the shoe and it buys you more space).  The shoes need not be expensive and I often gravitate towards the cheaper shoes simply because they have less built-in support which my son doesn't need. I also don't feel quite as bad ripping them apart the minute I get home!!

 

Right now I generally use hand-me-downs that have been very gently worn (from my son's older brother). Then I feel even less guilty about tearing them apart!

 

Good luck,

 

Laura

Sunny <gesshooo99@...> wrote: