DOC Band

Hello ladies,

As I’ve posted before, we have an appointment with Cranial Technologies this week. I’m a bit worried about the whole process, but if he needs the DOC Band we will of course do it. However… with having twins and all the expense that entails, we’re nearly broke already. My DH works for a AM radio station in a small town here in NC. The station is very involved with various charities and other non-profit organizations. DH mentioned that if our insurance doesn’t pay for the DOC Band and the treatment, he may organize a “fund raiser” for us with the station. DH has done a lot for this community and everyone loves him – he talks about the twins on-air often and anytime we’re out in public, we get stopped so many people we can barely get 20 feet through a store without having to stop and talk. I don’t really have a problem with it, but it does get tiresome after a while, especially if the boys are getting cranky (we’ve all be there, right?).

Anyway, my question is this… do you think it would be tacky or in bad taste to have a “fund-raiser” for his DOC Band? I hesitate to do this and have the whole community know our personal business, but on the other hand, we have no family that can help us with this if insurance doesn’t cover it.

Please, please, please give me your honest opinion… it will be greatly appreciated as I’m so torn in making a decision.

Thank you so much, in advance, for your truthfulness…

Have a great day!!!

Angela

 

I don't think its tacky. The whole point of a fund-raiser is to raise funds for a good cause. If people find it tacky or inappropriate, they are in no way obligated to participate or contribute.

I hope that insurance will cover it for you, this way you don't have to feel uncomfortable with having everyone know your business. Good luck either way!

 

Angela,

I do think holding a fundraiser is tacky... but I hate to say that because you need to do what you need to do.

I'm not a big fan of fundraisers for individual people unless their medical situation is such that there's no way their family could ever afford the procedure (ie - some huge cancer surgery or a life threatening condition that's going to require months of hospitalization). I know the DOC band is expensive, but to me it doesn't fall into that category. In addition, I would think it might be uncomfortable if the entire community knows your personal situation.

Of course, that's just me...

Whatever you decide, you don't need to wait to meet with the doctor again. Call your insurance company and ask about the DOC band and/or a helmet to see if they EVER cover those. That might help you decide how to proceed.

Good luck!

 

FWIW, a friend of mine's sister sold ad space on their son's DOC Band. It made the local news etc, until people started copying the idea.

P.S. My son had a DOC Band for three months and it did wonders! Good luck!

 

I don't think it's tacky, you would be surprised how many people would be willing to help. My DH's mom has MS (multiple sclerosis) and has been paralyzed from her neck down for the last 15 years. They had a normal van that they had a motorized ramp put in and the year before last the van broke down and there was no way to get anywhere in her wheelchair. His dad would have to pick her up out of her chair and put her in his truck and then take the huge wheelchair with them. Well anyway they ended up having a fundraiser to raise money to buy her a new handicap van. They ended up raising close to 40,000 dollars. A lot of that money didn't come from family and friends, just people that knew her situation and wanted to help. So I would just do it. It is humbling to let everyone know that you aren't in the best financial situation, but a little humilty is good for everyone. I am on the board of directors for a shelter for drug and alcohol addicted women and I manage the fundraisers that we have 4x a year. I know from experience that people don't spend the money unless they want to and feel that it is a good cause. We raise TONS of money and trust me there isn't a large portion of the population that feels sorry for drug addicts. So IMO who cares if people know your business and unless you feel it will hurt DH's career in anyway, I would do what is necessary for your family. That's just my opinion, I am a very giving person of my time and money so I would never take offense to someone inviting me to any type of fundraiser. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

I think that in this life we have to do what we have to do in order to get things done! If that means holding a fundraiser that you think people will participate in, by all means GO FOR IT!!! :hug99: Hey.... IT TAKES A VILLAGE!

 

QUOTE(Trishandthegirls @ Feb 4 2008, 06:34 PM) [snapback]604728[/snapback]
Angela,

I do think holding a fundraiser is tacky... but I hate to say that because you need to do what you need to do.

I'm not a big fan of fundraisers for individual people unless their medical situation is such that there's no way their family could ever afford the procedure (ie - some huge cancer surgery or a life threatening condition that's going to require months of hospitalization). I know the DOC band is expensive, but to me it doesn't fall into that category. In addition, I would think it might be uncomfortable if the entire community knows your personal situation.

Of course, that's just me...

Whatever you decide, you don't need to wait to meet with the doctor again. Call your insurance company and ask about the DOC band and/or a helmet to see if they EVER cover those. That might help you decide how to proceed.

Good luck!


I agree with Trish.

 

Thank you to all who have posted… I know that this procedure is not “medically” necessary, but as someone said (can’t remember if it was here or on the plagiocephaly site I go to) that if this doesn’t get corrected now, years later when he wants to ride a bicycle or play football or anything else that requires a protective helmet, he will have to have specially made equipment. Also, he does have Torticollis which has of course made the plagio worse. I feel like the DOC Band will assist in correcting the Torticollis since he won’t favor his problem side.

I can’t imagine how I would feel if I had the same condition as an infant and my parents were able to “fix” it before I even knew I had a problem, but they didn’t because of a little pride

Thanks again for the advice… I really appreciate it and I truly see both sides of the coin.