How would you cheer this person up?

[Jorja]

Got a phone call from mum yesterday to say my 7 year old neice had fallen off the jungle gym at school on Wednesday at school. (We suspect she may have been pushed)

Fractured BOTH arms in several places with bones visable through the skin. Shattered one elbow. Ambulance to starship and 4 hours in surgery. Plaster up to sholder on both sides. Pins in both arms

Will be 18 months before she has the full use of her arms. The worst bit is she does ballet and is really good. She will miss almost 2 years and will possibly have to give it up.

She can do nothing for herself at the moment and is feeling pretty miserable. Would like to do something nice for her but have no idea what!!!
Any ideas? Keeping in mind she can not feed herself so lollies are out, can't play with toys etc or read a book. Did think maybe a walkman so she can listen to music or a dvd to watch.

She has come home today and as you can imagine, she is still in shock.

[Number One]

ooo poor possum. Friends of mine have their boy in full plaster at the moment (toes to titty) for hip issues. He is coping really well but is a lot younger too so isn't so aware of what he's missing out on.

I'd think DVD's, Audio books, music and just lots of TLC and quality time.

Hope she heals up ok - you'll be amazed how she might compensate over these 18 months too...kids are just amazing. Our friends boy can manouevre himself across the floor now similar to a turle using only his feet and hands to propel himself....bet she trains her toes to do tricks too!

She should think of it as a chance to do something different to ballet - I know it's taken pretty seriously and if she is good and there might be a chance of her having to give it up then maybe now's the time to look into other options. Still though - poor wee thing!

[jim.cox]

Poor kid

But just 'cos she's bust up does not mean she cant do anything

Having spent time as a cripple, I would strongly suggest trying to keep life as normal as possible. keep on doing the things she did prior.

Don't see why ballet is not possible.

But for now, try something NEW - not a new toy, but a new experience. Has she ever been sailing?

Just my $0.02

[R6_kid:Me]

But for now, try something NEW - not a new toy, but a new experience. Has she ever been sailing?

Just my $0.02

wanna tell me how she's gonna sail with no arms?

[Usarka]

wanna tell me how she's gonna sail with no arms?

I was going to say show her a thread on kb full of well wishes

[007XX]

Poor kid

But just 'cos she's bust up does not mean she cant do anything

Having spent time as a cripple, I would strongly suggest trying to keep life as normal as possible. keep on doing the things she did prior.

Don't see why ballet is not possible.

But for now, try something NEW - not a new toy, but a new experience. Has she ever been sailing?

Just my $0.02

As an ex ballerina, trust me with both arms in a cast, she might as well forget it for the period of time she's stuck in plaster...

But I do agree with you thats he should still be able to take up ballet again after the 18 months are up...carefully of course, as she will probably need physio help.

Jorja, I reckon that the simple things are often the best with kids...maybe you could visit nice places like pet zoo farms once she is a bit more mobile.
As long as she's pretty immobile, find out what she's into (ie: puzzles, dominos, or dolls...) and have someone to move the pieces for her, so she can take part in the game without having to touch anything.

Also, if you know someone who knows how to do magic tricks or blow animal shaped balloons, do puppet shows...that sort of thing...

Hope it helps...poor little one...Oh and lots of hugs, of course!

[jim.cox]

I would expect that, with luck her plaster, at least most of it, will be off in six to eight weeks.

Which opens things up a lot.

Until then, it is more limited, and that's where some imagination is required...

[Sanx]

I know it lasts a little bit longer than 18 months, but how about a kitten or a puppy? Something that can give lots of amusement without needing to be held or manipulated ...

[Livvy]

I know it lasts a little bit longer than 18 months, but how about a kitten or a puppy? Something that can give lots of amusement without needing to be held or manipulated ...

kitten + laserlights = unending fun.

[Zoolander]

Find the little f**k who pushed her and kneecap them.

[Oakie]

My niece did the same thing with the same result 6 weeks ago although it was only one arm.

DVDs, Talking books from the library? As someone else said though, she'll be surprisingly adaptable. My nephew who broke his arm at about the same age learned to write with his other hand pretty quickly.

How long before she's back at school?

[neilwgtn]

maybe just being there and spending time with her...
much better than buying something...

jokes and talking and conversation can be heaps of fun!!

[Zuki Bandit]

Poor little bugga!

My 7 year old daughter fell out of a tree a few months back and snapped her forearm and dislocated her elbow. At that age it drives them mad as they just want to get up and go.
I found, rather than running around and riding bikes and her doing cartwheels all around the place she spent more time drawing, writing and reading. She taught herself how to write and draw with her left hand and even now can alternate between being left or right handed.

I cant imagine how frustrating it would be to have both arms in plaster. I guess the best way to help the poor little blighter would be to provide lots of hugs n stuff, and not to mention heaps of lollies, cakes and jelly!

[martybabe]

maybe just being there and spending time with her...
much better than buying something...

jokes and talking and conversation can be heaps of fun!!

Absolutely, Blingo to you. Nothing in this world would cheer up a seven year old more than company, Read her a book, watch videos together.get her teacher to send letters from her mates. Just playing with the poor li'll kid will make her day.My seven kids used to see such times, and there were a lot of them, as an excuse to get stupid. make up, hair do's,apply green nail varnish with purple spots.

Friends and family spending time together. you can't buy better.

[fire eyes]

Got a phone call from mum yesterday to say my 7 year old neice had fallen off the jungle gym at school on Wednesday at school. (We suspect she may have been pushed)

Fractured BOTH arms in several places with bones visable through the skin. Shattered one elbow. Ambulance to starship and 4 hours in surgery. Plaster up to sholder on both sides. Pins in both arms

Will be 18 months before she has the full use of her arms. The worst bit is she does ballet and is really good. She will miss almost 2 years and will possibly have to give it up.

She can do nothing for herself at the moment and is feeling pretty miserable. Would like to do something nice for her but have no idea what!!!
Any ideas? Keeping in mind she can not feed herself so lollies are out, can't play with toys etc or read a book. Did think maybe a walkman so she can listen to music or a dvd to watch.

She has come home today and as you can imagine, she is still in shock.

some fantastic ideas in here! At 7, no doubt her mind will be on Ballet, even if her body is not .. the mind is a beautiful thing .. I heard once .. if you have been there in the mind, you will go there in the body .. so .. if she hasnt already .. what about buying or hiring some advanced instructional Ballet DVDs, she can practice in her mind! Or even DVDS/Books of the Worlds Great (she may already have these!) orrrrr having a wee tea party where everyone can dress up in tutus! .. it might tide her over for a wee bit or maybe even a lifetime .. infinite possibilities!