Next time

Next time you wonder why I need to exercise and keep fit, ask yourself if YOU could wrestle a 24kg kid 6 or 7 times a day just to change his dirty nappy.
If I don't keep fit, I can't do the basic things I need to do for my 9 year old child.

Have you ever tried to change a child who locks his body or kicks you with all his strength in your face or chest?
It is not easy.
It leaves me trying to catch my breath.

I can't yell at him.
He pretends he doesn't understand if I tell him to stop.

So tell me.
What is the solution?
I have tried distraction.
I have tried getting him to help me.
I have tried giving him something in his hands.
I have tried my timeout method.

For those who have an adult with a disability who is still in nappies/diapers and is able to kick you, how do you manage it?







Comments

  1. AlisonApril 15, 2011 at 1:07 PM

    I don't have any advice Anna as Ashlea is still samll enough to sit on :)

    Will be interested to see what others do though.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Eric FischerApril 15, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    Anna this is simply one of those things that you add to the list of impossibles. And yet we do it. Segev has no conscious control over his body and yet will invariably stiffen up when changing him even though he shows no other signs indicating discomfort or anything and he will almost always give a smile after.(That smile, hmm...)
    While Segev is 32 kg he cannot kick nor, as i said, consciously instigate any movement so I honestly don't know how you do it. It makes it easier when it is two people (better distraction for Ryley?) but I'm certain that is usually not practical in your situation.
    Finally, the only thing I can think of is bribery.
    Stay fit!

    ReplyDelete
  3. SeleneApril 15, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    Snail has done this before, and once kicked me really hard when I was pregnant with Lolly, that was a hard time. It's not her trying to hurt me, it was protest, and sometimes just involuntary/poor motor control. She is 12 now and I do struggle to change her sometimes. She doesn't help, and is so stiff/floppy from the athetoid. It's dead weight sometimes too. My back is killing me lately!

    No advice but I really feel for you. xo

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnnaApril 15, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    Alison- It is so much easier when they are smaller!!
    Eric- I think in many ways it is Ryley's only way of really showing me he is over it! I do try bribery every now and then. Sometimes it works, it depends on how stubborn he is!
    Selene- It is definitely a protest I think with Ryley. I do think he knows exactly what he is doing though ie. getting a reaction from me!!!

    A couple of other mothers on the FB blogaboutabloke had a couple of good suggestions which might work. They suggested standing Ryley up in the toilet and changing him that way, or alternatively having another go at toilet training. When we are out and about I have often had to change Ryley standing up and it is ok. It is hard for him to stand and he still needs to have all his weight resting on me, but I am going to give it a try. I think Ryley wants to wear 'jocks' like his brother and he is frustrated at wearing nappies. I don't blame him. It must be so hard.

    But the kicking and locking up of his body is impossible to manage.

    Thankyou all for your comments. At least I am not alone!

    ReplyDelete
  5. HilaryApril 16, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    Sending lots of love from a long way away!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. SeleneApril 21, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    True, I change Snail standing after a bath (well, sit to stand) supporting all her weight, it's harder for her to struggle, and she does seem more helpful then. I couldn't do a poop change from there though *yikes!*

    Good luck! And you're definitely not alone xo

    ReplyDelete

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