They DO make designer helmet covers!!

[Heiferly]

Don't know if this will help anyone but Halbashes and I right now, but I for one am happy to see it!!  I really hope that no one else is struggling with head injuries from the "frequent faller" club, but if anyone else is and has missed the discussion, we've mentioned the fact that Hal and I are both getting helmets now due to our repeated issues with this and the need for protection against further head trauma.

Well, I found out that the thin(ner) cloth-covered helmet that I wanted to get (the ProtectaCap Plus) is not covered by my insurance when I went to the fitting with the orthopedic fitting specialist today.  :-(  So I have to get a helmet that looks like this:  

https://danmarproducts.c7.ixwebhosting.com/index.cfm?pageSRC=productDisplay&dmproductID=89

(Except the foam part on mine will be pink instead of tan.)  I know it will be functional, but as far as aesthetics go ...

:'-(     So, I found a site that does make covers and they actually make them specifically for the helmet I'm getting:

:-D    Here's the site with the covers.  Hal, I'm not sure what kind of helmet they are considering for you, but maybe you might be interested in these too:

http://www.softcorners.net/index.html

I definitely think it's an improvement, and they have a lot of different options, from plain to schmancy.

[mtgardner]

I am thrilled your very good brain will be better protected and beautifully as well!
I can see a whole  wardrobe of helmet covers developing in your drawer.  :)  Marie

[Heiferly]

My narcolepsy is under much much MUCH better control these days, but there's no cure and I still have some symptoms.  I think as with the dysauto, the more I take care of myself and try to reduce physical and mental stresses, the better I do, and whenever stressors go up the more I have symptoms.  As far as the attacks that cause me to fall from the narcolepsy, those are the paralysis attacks called "cataplexy."  The medication I take for those is working pretty well, but I still have occasional attacks.  I'd say they're down to only a few a month now, though, and often they're only a 'partial' attack so just one part of my body goes paralyzed instead of the full-body generalized paralysis attacks.  If it's my legs, obviously it will still be a fall, but if it's arms then I just drop things so it's relatively less severe.  They're also not lasting nearly as long as they were before we got the medication right ... more like minutes now rather than hours!  Which is SOOOOO much better!

One of my bigger concerns used to be asphyxiation during a cataplexy if I fell face-down into something like a pillow/blanket/etc. (almost happened once, which is how I learned it was a concern), so it's a relief to have way less generalized paralysis attacks and have them lasting for much shorter periods of time because that significantly reduces that risk.  (I've also made lifestyle changes to help minimize that risk.)

I'm not gung-ho about the helmet in terms of appearance, but I am excited about not fearing more brain injuries (or retina injuries, LOL), and it's important for me to take some of that worry off the minds of my loved ones too!  I know my mom is really happy about the helmet.  They're custom-made so it'll take up to 6-8 weeks to get here, but I'll post a pic when I get it.  Thanks for all the support on this; it really brought a smile to my face!!

[beema36]

Thanks for the link Heiferly. We each never know when we may need this stuff.
U need to post a pic when u get yours:) and be sure to wear it and protect your brain. We need u and your wonderful research.
Beema

[mtgardner]

Well I am impressed!  I love the idea of helmet covers individualized for the person.
I actually think it would not be hard to make one.  If I had one it would be covered with purple flowers or photos of my dogs ...:)  Let us know what you end up with.

This reminds me of the way many people find to make individual statements while adapting to a disability.  I like the flair such statements make!  I met a woman today while waiting for a blood draw.  She was unique in her dress and we easily struck up a conversation.  She had the most wonderful cane.  It was a natural wood embedded with crystals and had some leather fringe and a crystal handle.  She had made it herself and I thought it very unique and decorative as well as functional.  I have also seen wheelchairs plastered with stickers.  I love the artistic flair!

Again I think we need to create a whole fashion line!  Heiferly, thanks for the link!

Marie

[enzymelover]

Will you model your new helmet for us, when you get it? I would love to see it.
I'm so sorry you have to deal with the frequent fainting issues. Do you still have narcoleptic attacks? How quickly do you "go out" with these?