Maybe you have a fabric idea

[SadieKate]

Yeah!!!! You made my day!

I really don't know, but contact the Special Olympics staff. I bet they could put you in touch with some athletes who wear DME stuff and run marathons. Does the Special Olympics have cycling? Maybe some folks who have personal experience.

SK Dancing around the room for you!

[Trek420]

SadieKate, you do mean Para'lympics not the Special Olympics right? ;-)

also contact BORP, a Bay area adaptive athetic organization. Stay tuned while I do a little research, I wear a brace when doing anything that involves lateral movement. Not as elaborate as yours but...I think I have an idea.

this is just one example:

http://www.townsenddesign.com/products.aspx?ID=1-2

The brace I wear sounds similar to yours although nowhere near as extensive, it's just the knee. Butt-loads of cloth, velcro and waaaay too hot, there's friction and hard to keep in place and.....

If I get a new one I'd go carbon fiber. All the support and would be cool (temprature wise). Some will even let you go custom color so you match the bike, favorite quote printed on it, whatever.


doing the happy dance around the room for you!

Also, OT to this...Spazz just got an apartment!!

[SadieKate]

SadieKate, you do mean Para'lympics not the Special Olympics right? ;-)

also contact BORP, a Bay area adaptive athetic organization.

doing the happy dance around the room for you!

Perhaps! Way back when didn't Special Olympics work with all special needs athletics? Not that we all aren't special in our own way.

You all do know what Sarah means in Hebrew, don't you?

Sadie "The Princess" Kate

ps - Trek, Thanks for bringing me into the 21st century.

[CorsairMac]

Oh Karen - that is the just about the bestest news I've received all day! Huge Virtual Hugs go to you my SAC friend!!

[Irulan]

topic drift, can't help myself.

Speaking of paralympics, check out the DVD "Murderball" about the guys who play wheelchair rugby, freaking inspirational...

[massbikebabe]

Hey Thanks Guys!!!

I actually have my son and hubby to thank because they made my bike and trainer sort of wheelchair accessible!!! Meaning I have lots of room to get on and then I have poles to keep me from listing over to the left all the time. (A
slight issue with balance).

Thank-you Penny for your reply...I am looking to make a sleeve of some sort that can cover at least the AFO splint on my lower leg. Right now it is just skin on plastic and I have limited feeling in the lower part of my leg, so it would be easy to get an abrasion, or infection. I was thinking of chamois but my hubby thinks that may be to thick, and is worried it may cause more problems. Something wicking would be good. I would prefer to sew a sleeve that would be tight, and not leave wrinkles that could cause skin breakdown. Something that I could take off to wash etc. etc. I don't want to glue anything onto the splint for fear I would damage it...it was very expensive to have built, (Thanking God for health Insurance). Unfortunately, without my splint I spend more time on the ground than I do standing upright...so it has become a very important part of my life.

Thank-you to my local TE gurl Surly who sews...I think we could come up with a design!!!

Thanks to you all for cheering me on. First the trainer and maybe later this month I may try a road spin...the balance issue still is looming large!!

I love you guys
karen

[wavedancer]

Wow, Karen, you are just amazing!!!

For padding the splint, what about some sort of synthetic "sheep-skin" covering like we used to use to prevent abrasion for bed-bound patients? I like the idea of contacting the para-olympics folks, I bet they have thought of just about everything!

Just a thought...what about some sort of memory-foam...check this out:

http://www.sunmatecushions.com/sosunmate.htm

I am sure you will come up with just what you need, because you are so determined and motivated! You go, girl

Linda

[Irulan]

am I seeing this right in that it would be something like those neoprene sleeve thingys that some wear as a light knee stabilizier, yet this would go between your leg and the brace?

If it's something like that here are some things to try. all of these would be machine washable, line dry, and have some sort of varying strechy andvwicking properties.

*polartec 200, or some polartec 1000 that has some lycra to it. ( stretch fleece)
*Aquashell ( polartec 2000) this is the 2mm neoprene bonded to fleece that is used in various wetskin type application.
*powershield
* any of the above could be combined with a 9 oz beefy lycra. There are also some velcro compatible fabrics out there, I'd have to think which exactly of the sources carries it, if you needed to build in some adjustability.

http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/tips/sources.asp

[Embellina]

No advice for you, I just wanted to add my voice to the chorus! Way to go!

[annie]

Karen,

Sounds like the spirit is stronger than the body -- but it's your spirit that will, and already is, making your body strong again! You are truly amazing. Getting on that trainer and pedaling -- what an incredible high that must have been for you. Just be careful, please, whenever you try that road ride!!! NO crashes!

Sounds like you've gotten some very good ideas on fabrics to prevent chafing. Hope one of them works for you.

Keep up the battle! You are already a winner.

annie

[solobiker]

Hi there, I have worked with people with braces before. what kind of brace is it? It sounds like an AFO that extends up to your knee. does the ankle portion flex? what kind of material is it made out of? does it slide on or are there a lot of straps? just asking for skin integrity reasons

[massbikebabe]

Gee Solo thanks...

Yes, it is very much an AFO to the knee, and then on the side of the knee is another pole for second support...this will eventually be "cut away" and I will just have the AFO portion on. It is made out of very hard plastic, does not bend at the ankle. The only strap is just below my knee...this is made of velcro and holds the plastic around my calf. Any idea's?? Can something be purchased or will I have to make something???


thanks a million
karen
enjoying the warmer 50 degree temps.