A Message from Bryce's Mom...

My name is Jessica Combs. I am the Mom of Bryce Everett Combs. Bryce was born on June 24, 2000. He was the most perfect baby--that is until our 1-month checkup with his doctor. We pointed out to her that the right side of his head was getting flat from laying on his back all of the time. She reassured us that it would correct itself, as he started moving around and rolling over. We brought our concerns up again at his 2 month checkup. Same answer, "It would fix itself". Finally, we switched doctors when Bryce was 4 months old. Our new doctor was a godsend. At our first appointment with him, he sent us to get x-rays and they came back fine. There were no sutures fusing together. Bryce was diagnosed with deformational plagiocephaly. We had no idea what that was, so I got on the Internet and did a little research. I didn't find too much information out there, but I did find some and it helped me understand what to expect and exactly what it was and how it happens.

We were referred to Dr. Sun at Oakland Children's Hospital in Oakland, California. Off we went to visit this new doctor who told us that he was prescribing a STARband for Bryce. That same day we went to Laurence-Farrow Orthotics & Prosthetics in Concord, California. Boy were we in for a shock! Bryce was going to have a mold taken of his head while we were there. To our surprise, he did wonderfully. Bryce wore this STARband for approximately 3 months. He hit a growth spurt and outgrew the STARband but was still making progress, so the orthotist, Dr. Sun, and our family decided that Bryce would benefit from having another STARband made. So, off we went to have another mold done of his head! Bryce still had a couple more months to go before he turned 1 and we wanted to take advantage of this fast growth period. Bryce wore this STARband for roughly 2 months.

Bryce recently graduated out of his STARband and we are now finished with treatment. It was a long several months of wearing it, but it was well worth it. The flat spot filled in between 80 to 90%, and his overall head shape is more symmetrical. His ears are improving even now. His right cheek is very close to the same size as his left cheek. We are EXTREMELY happy with the STARband and Orthomerica. We couldn't have asked for much more than this. My son is living proof that the STARband works!!! Thanks to our orthotist, Ed, and Orthomerica for a job well done!!!

Jessica Combs
California