Injuries are tough on children, more so if they cause disability. Your child will need your care and attention whether or not they verbally ask for it or not. Therefore, as a parent, you should be able to tell what your child needs from you for his/her recovery. More importantly, as you care for your child, try as much as possible to restore their dignity, to prevent their confidence from dissolving.
By far, the most common effect your child will likely experience is difficulty in mobility. Often, injuries hurt the lower parts of the body – the legs, knees, thighs, and hips. Consequently, it will limit your child’s mobility and ability to use the bathroom. In such an instance, your child may frown upon assistance to go to the bathroom, and you will need alternative solutions. This is why it’d be best to consider the Bard intermittent catheter an excellent urology solution.
Assistive Devices
Typically, assistive devices are useful in bolstering mobility. Your child can use assistive devices, long-term or short-term, depending on the severity of the injury.
It is a vital way for your child to rebuild confidence following an injury.
Standard assistive devices include; crunches, special eyeglasses, prosthetics, and wheelchairs. Don’t expect your child to assimilate these devices happily; anticipate some push-backs and a lot of fuss!
Frankly, assistive devices can be intimidating to your child, so offer comfort and assurance to help your child accept these devices into their lives.
Moreover, the devices will empower your child to be independent despite the injuries. Eventually, your child will return to his/her usual routine. Hence, building your child’s endurance and resilience.
Same Gender Caregiver
Post-injury care and disability care require personal assistance. Therefore, you shouldn’t be surprised that your son rejects you only to need his dad and vice versa. It’s okay for your child to want a similar gender for care; it’s more comfortable and assuring.
Whenever possible, support your child’s decisions and demands, especially if the same gender caregiver will help calm their moods and improve their mental state.
Besides, research has shown that same-gender caregivers‘ benefits stimulate positive emotions, improve interactions, and even mend relationships with the rest of the family. Additionally, your child will receive the best care from someone who understands him/her on a deeper level.
Catheters
As mentioned, your child will need assisted mobility during rehabilitation. It’d be best for your child to use a catheter for bathroom emergencies to avoid constant movements. Additionally, catheters will eliminate the embarrassment that comes with assisted bathroom breaks.
Catheters are safe, hygienic and will help your child minimize his/her movements drastically. However, only use a catheter according to the doctor’s directions. You will need the doctor’s intervention on the type of catheter to use, how to use and dispose of it, and the length of time to use it.
Most catheters need installment in a hospital, so don’t attempt to do it yourself unless your doctor advises so.
Injuries can strip your child’s confidence and even independence affecting their moods and general demeanor. However, your child can still have his/her dignity intact with simple remedies like the ones above. Ultimately, your child will be more mentally, emotionally, and physically responsive to rehabilitation.
