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The Cough Machine (Cough Assist) The cough machine helps Matthew cough by blowing air into his lungs via a mask. It assists him in coughing more productively. Matthew uses it every morning and every night. He uses it more frequently during colds. This machine keeps Matthews lungs stretched and air ways clearer. This is such a great addition to our respiratory protocol. |
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Matthew wears the vest and it
fills up with air and shakes and
vibrates. The mucus loosens and
makes it easier for him to cough
and clear his secretions. This has
been such a life saver.
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Suction Machine Clears out secretions from the back of the throat. He mostly uses for this to clear his nose. There is a yankauer attached to the end of the tubing. |
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Nebulizer Machine
Nebulizer Breathing Machine administers meds by
aerosol droplets that go into the lungs via a pari jet.
Matthew uses Xopenex when really sick and wheezy and
cannot get air. He mostly uses the saline.
Matthew has a mask that attaches for when he is
sleeping and a treatment is needed. He will take a
breathing treatment just to keep things moist when he
is dry or dehydrated a little.
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Pulse Oximeter
Matthews Oximeter measures his oxygen in his blood.
Normal levels are around 97-100 %
It has a sensor that is attached to his toe at night. The
alarm goes off if oxygen drops to low levels . This tells
us to clear his lungs and or do treatments and his
respiratory protocol. We also have oxygen in home if
needed. We have had to use oxygen 5 times in the past. The
oximeter also monitors his pulse telling us if his heart is
working to hard or not hard enough. This machine has been a
really important piece of equipment.
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Rifton Blue Wave Bath chair
This is Matthews Bath Chair. He needs to be supported
and strapped in his chair, He has no muscle tone and could
not help himself if fallen over. Matthew cannot get his head
under water due to his weak cough. Matthew can aspirate
water into his lungs and can cause respiratory problems.
He is supervised and assisted fully while bathing. The
bath chairs are adjustable and have plenty of soft velcro
straps to hold him in place. We use our old chairs that
he grows out of for the beach and to play in the
sprinklers.
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Toilet chair
Matthew has been using Rifton chairs since he was 3 years
old. It is very nice because it has adjustable straps and a seat
belt and tray to keep Matt safe and supported.. It is fully
adjustable and washable.
He has a whistle that he blows when he is finished. We have
him on a schedule 1-2 times daily for #2 and never has any
constipation problems. He really had a rough time when he
was little. You can use for a shower chair if needed. I would
recommend highly.
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Electric Wheelchair
Looking back, At age 2, Matthew said, Look! Mom "I
can run" and Look! Mom "I can walk"
He was moving his arms as if he was running and walking
Excitedly and making sound affects as if his feet were
hitting the ground.
I knew from that Moment he would never walk. It broke my
heart. But Mommy needed do something. So I checked into
getting his an electric chair as he needed some legs.
It was hard to see our little guy in his
first wheelchair. But the hurt slowly went away when he got
his Power Chair. It made him much more happier and
independent. Matthew received his first manual chair when he
was 1 1/2 yrs old. He got his first Electric chair at the
age of 3. It was a Red Power Tiger. He was so tiny in
his big chair. He out grew his chair again and received a
Yellow power tiger at the age of 6, It was faster and he
"could" control the speed. It was a bit cooler with some
extra options like tilt and recline.
Matt received his Quantum 6000 when he turned 9 . It has
been adapted and accessorized especially for him.
He can now get water and ice from the refrigerator. He has
an elevator that can raise him to places he could never reach
before. He can reach light switches, counter tops and look out
windows and reach things high up. He has tilt, recline,
elevating leg rests. It goes 7 miles an hr, and has ground
affect, and head lights. His chair can go up curbs and spins on
a dime. This is Matthews Cadillac, He Really loves his
chair.
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Ankle Foot Orthotics (AFOs)
Matthew has worn AFOS since he was first diagnosed at 1yrs of
age. He is now 10.
The picture shows his first puppy AFOS next to his more
recent ones at age 10 Aug 2007.
They keep Matthews feet from turning in. Mainley helps to
keep shoes and slippers on. Most children who have M.D. will
have turned in feet to some degree. Matthews feet are getting
worse as he is getting older. He doesn't mind his braces and
often asks for me to put them on. They also protect his feet.
There is surgery to correct if needed, but I will most
likely pass on that for now.
For more info on Orthotics and SMA children go to:
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Matthew's Respiratory protocol when sick |
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Gearing Up for a Hospital Stay |
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Neuromuscular Doctor |
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Nutritional Guidelines for SMA children |
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