Cast Life – A Parent’s Guide to DDH was launched in October and I hope it will offer a vital lifeline to parents with children suffering from Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH).
Cast Life – A Parent’s Guide to DDH Natalie Trice
DDH occurs when the ball and socket of the hip joint do not fit snugly together and whilst it affects between one and three children in every thousand, information and support is shockingly poor leaving parents feeling confused about what happens next.
Inspired by her son who was diagnosed at four months, the author, Natalie Trice, knows all too well that whilst DDH is not life threatening, it certainly is life changing.
Natalie passionately believes that there needs to be more awareness of DDH, which if left untreated, can lead to long term disability, hip replacements and life long pain.
Cast Life is a comprehensive book that covers everything from easy to understand explanations about the condition and the treatments involved to the products available to make life easier for children in casts. It also looks at family life, dealing with emotions as well including first person stories and parent comments.
Professor N. M. P. Clarke ChM, DM, FRCS Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, who wrote the foreword for Cast Life, commented, ““DDH is one of the most common congenital abnormalities and it is remarkable that there is so little information out there. This book is essential reading for the parents of children with the condition, as well as health professionals working with them, and I would love to see it in all clinics around the world.”
Natalie added, “When a child is diagnosed with any illness, the parents often feel overwhelmed and want know as much about the condition as possible. When Lucas was diagnosed with DDH I was terrified and my initial search for information threw up horrific images and worst-case scenarios that simply compounded my fear.
“With Lucas facing more surgery this autumn, I am really pleased to have done something to help others as I know how hard the waiting and recovery periods are. Cast Life isn’t loaded with medical jargon, but it gives the reader the knowledge and facts they need to get to grips with DDH so they regain a little bit of control and power in what can be a tough situation.”
Cast Life is available on Amazon in the UK and US and Natalie has also set up Spica Warrior a charity offering information about DDH, 10% of the royalties will be going to this cause, and blogs about the condition at Just because I love
Cast Life can be purchased here.