United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I saw a recent post (on the "old" board) about the AM Tryke. I found it in a therapy catalog and it looks like it would be great for Nicole. I have tried getting a PT/OT recommendation to send to Nicole's Ped. Ortho. Surgeon to write a letter of medical necessity so that we can try to get our insurance co. to cover this. However, so far I haven't been able to convince the therapists that this is medically necessary. I told them that Nicole, who is 2 1/2, cannot steer a regular tryke without going in circles and the bolt feature of the AM Tryke would eliminate that problem. I also told them that it would be great therapy for Nicole - weight bearing and ROM. Apparently, those thoughts weren't enough. Any suggestions please? Thanks. -Tina

Tina-

Maia has a hot tryke - which is the hand driven bicycle from telephone pioneers. She cannot steer it because she doesn't have enough strength to pedal and steer. I was hoping that using the bicycle would give her more strength but it seems to be a Catch 22 situation. A parent cannot steer the bike constantly because a parent's steering gets in the way of the hand pedals and you also have to reach down, which is painful if you have back issues.

Maybe you can find a write-up on the UB bikes that they use in gyms...will list the benefits of doing hand pedaling. Also, don't we want our children to be able to do things that other kids do, so that they grow up as "normal" as possible?

How about getting a "medically necessary" letter from Nicole's surgeon?

The stabilizer bar is a great idea and I wish that the TP bike had one, too.

-francine

I'm sure Nicoel would have the same problem. That's why it's just as well that the telephone pioneers didn't come through for me (I tried).
>She cannot steer it because she doesn't have enough strength to pedal and steer. I was hoping that using the bicycle would give her more strength but it seems to be a Catch 22 situation.

I agree and that's the point that her EI PT made, buuutt the fact is Nicole cannot do all of the things that other kids do at this point. As hard as it is to accept that, I am honest with the situation. Her PT wants to work with us in helping Nicole to learn how to ride a regular tryke. Well, how long do I let her struggle and get frustrated? Afterall, a tryke isn't a long-term toy anyway. Sure, she might be able to ride it someday, but when, when she's too old to want to ride it? I feel that it's a difficult situation with no perfect solution.
>Also, don't we want our children to be able to do things that other kids do, so that they grow up as "normal" as possible?

That's a good idea. I tried first with the local ped. ortho, but they wanted a letter first from a therapist. Nicole's aqua PT suggested having the ped. write a script, so I dropped off a picture of the tryke today and will talk to them on Monday. I will check with TCH too. Thanks.
>How about getting a "medically necessary" letter from Nicole's surgeon?

Here's what really frustrates me... There's a program at our local children's hospital that has a fund of up to $1,000 per year for children who qualify to use for things like fun equipment among other things -- that are not covered by insurance. I don't expect the insurance co. to cover the AM Tryke (but will be pleased if they do), but if I get a letter of denial from the insurance co. then the fund will cover it. I cannot access the fund directly though; it has to be through Nicole's OT at the hospital. The OT knows this and still hasn't found it in her to write the letter. So, I asked her what about the fund and she reminded me that we need a letter of denial from the insurance co. first. ARRRGGGHHHH!!! So why won't she just write the letter?!!! Sorry I'm not being very nice to the keys on my keyboard at the moment. My dh would not be happy (he always tells me to be nice to the puter LOL!).

Not to divert too much here, but when the hospital OT was talking to me about using the fund for the tryke, she said that it's not usually used for something like that (but I'm pretty sure it can be) and she said it's usually used for things like diapers, formula, travel expenses, etc. for families that can't afford them. She also told me that it would cover a weight management program for an obese child. So, I said, great, so it covers alternative types of therapy not covered by insurance companies?! I said that's good to know b/c I've been thinking about things like yogatherapy and hippotherapy. She said she'd look into it. I don't think she knows me too well. If something is available to Nicole, then I WILL advocate for it until she DOES get it! It's unfortunate that we have to fight for our children so much while they're growing up, but that's my job and I already know it and have accepted it. Hopefully, Nicole will learn from this and will fight for what she wants. Based on her personality so far, I think she will.

WOW! Was that a novel or what?! Sorry so long. I'm done. -Tina :0)

What catalog was the AM Trike in? I would like to se what one looks like