United Brachial Plexus Network

I just ordered a great product for Rain. Rain has really be focused on the need to learn to tie her shoes. Because she has no function or grip in her left hand the task has not been easy. Her therapist is working on teaching her a one handed method to tie them. In the meantime I ordered a few pairs of Y-Ties for her shoes. We really love them. They are elastic shoestrings that a spiraled on the ends so that they are unable to come untied. That way we no longer will have loose shoestrings, and her teacher will not have to tie them for her. I thought that this would be a great product for our kids. Not costly either, only 3.00 per pair. Tell me what you think.

DeShawn

DeShawn:
We used these for Juliana for a while. They actually encouraged her to learn to tie her shoes (she has some function in her affected hand now--much less at that time). She didn't like them! Her sibs didn't wear them, and so she didn't want to! I told her I'd take them out, but she had to tie her laces...she wore them for months and then she and her ot came out one day and showed me that she could tie laces! Since then, whenever she seemed to tire of the laces (and she definately has, it is hard for her), we go to velcro or slip on shoes and sneakers.

I thought these were cute and fun, but Julie definately did not agree. She is clearly guided by what her sibs do, not by what they say. They told her the laces were cute, but since they didn't use them, she wasn't either! Yes, some psychiatrist would have a field day, but that push has helped us in a lot of ways.

I hope Rain likes them more than Juliana did!

good luck,
claudia


Message was edited by: claudia

where did you find them DeShawn?

thanks

christy

http://www.curlylaces.com/shoelaces.html

or you can make a fundraiser out of it...
http://www.y-ties.com/index.htm

other things that are neat...

http://www.looperslaces.com/

http://www.tyless.com/

a note about maia - she just learned how to tie one handed in the last couple of weeks - she's still working on it (hardest part for her is tightening the laces) but at age 9 she doesn't want velcro sneakers anymore. I think I'm going to get her the curly ties for camp though when quick on and off is really necessary.


Message was edited by: F-Litz

I use a lace called yankz. It is located at www.yankz.com . Judy

Maybe ask your OT. When my husband lost 2 fingers they showed him how to tie one handed. It was laced special with one side alreday looking like the bow part, then he tightened them and tied the loose side. Unless getting down and inspecting it closely you couldn't tell. However that was like 13 yrs ago and I don't remember how they did it.
Sue