How They Made Custom AFO's (ankle braces) for My 2-Year-Old

We just got AFO's for Damian - watch as we show the process of getting the cast, the fitting for the final brace, and adding our own decoration to them!
The process was much quicker and easier than I thought, and they are already proving to be really helpful for Damian!!
Let me know in the comments: Do you have experience with AFO's or any other kind of orthotic device??
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💙ABOUT DAMIAN💙
Damian is fighting a terminal genetic disease called ASMD and we're determined to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to expedite the development of treatment for him. Please help us #SaveDamian by sharing his story!!! We are SO CLOSE to finally defeating ASMD, for Damian and every child given this death sentence. Thank you 💙
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💙 LINKS 💙
GoFundMe: gofund.me/24dc...
Blog and More: www.SaveDamian...

[@jessicam1658]

Love him!!

[@pleasesavedamian]

💙💙💙

[@robinmonroe1276]

Keep up the good work Damian!🙂💙

[@elizannpoetry4538]

So cute. My son is going for his first appointment “casting” on Thursday

[@11sportsmom]

Hooray for AFO'S!! Hooray for Damian! 💙💙💙

[@pleasesavedamian]

YES we are so glad to finally have them!! 💙💙💙

[@ljune7188]

That sweet smile! 💙💙💙

[@pleasesavedamian]

It melts my heart every time!!! 💙💙💙

[@averybaker2900]

Such a cutie! Why do you think he got so upset when putting on the AFOs the first time?

[@pleasesavedamian]

Thank you!! Great question - Damian has always been a bit apprehensive about massages on his feet, hands, legs, etc. and he's always disliked getting shoes put on (or mittens, or even clothes for that matter - it took him a long time to be okay wearing long-sleeved shirts, he used to get so frustrated with them!). I think he doesn't like putting the AFO's on for the same reason - it forces a stretch in his leg and foot that he doesn't like and it's just another thing touching his body. But because he recovers pretty quick - I finish strapping it on and then he doesn't seem to mind - it's clear that it's not painful or anything really distressing for him. 💙💙💙

[@Ayanokoji-r3r]

DAMIAN💙

[@sarabellum510]

So cute!! Glad he has them, I love the Mickey stickers!

[@pleasesavedamian]

Thank you!! Me too, it has proven to be a GREAT help for him already!! 💙💙💙

[@amberlilly1899]

You can tell he really enjoys making it fun for the kids by the way he likes the patterns and colors 😂

[@pleasesavedamian]

Yes, definitely! I appreciate the pride he took in his work! 😂

[@gjergj7806]

💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[@pleasesavedamian]

💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[@mackenziehacker7787]

What can he do and can he eat and drink by mouth??

[@koffeekell5518]

My daughter needs afos I just know it’s not gonna be fun

[@Fabviv]

💙💙💙💙💙💙

[@yeseniaestrada1746]

What disability does Damian have?

[@pleasesavedamian]

Damian has a genetic disease called Acid Sphingomyelinase Deficiency. Among a long list of issues this causes, one of them is weakening muscle tone over time, so the various special equipment we have gotten for him helps him to (hopefully) slow down the rate at which he is weakening or prevent other issues from happening. The disease is terminal, but there is a treatment in development we are trying to raise money for so we can save him 💙💙💙

[@sehrishsheheryar9104]

For wat purpose u r using afo for ur baby?

[@pleasesavedamian]

It helps in a few ways: Damian has very low muscle tone and cannot stand on his own. The AFO's give him support and help him to be much more steady while he practices standing. Also, it helps to stretch out his feet. Since he doesn't stand as often as a typical child, his leg and foot muscles can get very tight. The AFO's keep his feet stretched at a 90-degree angle to help fight against that tightening. The AFO's have been an incredible help!! 💙

[@isaiahroles3930]

Aw