'Help me raise awareness (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

'Help me raise awareness

3:47pm Tuesday 18th April 2006

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A MUM whose baby has to wear a helmet to correct the shape of his skull says she is determined to raise awareness of his condition.

Oliver Laflin, from Lemsford, has the condition plagiocephaly, which means that one side of his head is flat. It was caused by a muscle problem in his neck that caused him to turn his head onto one side while he slept.

The ten-month-old has to wear the special helmet 23 hours a day, and his head should be a normal shape in about six months' time.

But his mum Sally, 30, says Oliver's condition could have been tackled earlier if health staff were more aware of plagiocephaly. She said: "One of the ways it can be treated when they're very little is by re-positioning their heads or lying them down on their backs and had we known that we would have done it.

"A lot of health visitors and doctors don't know enough about the condition and tell you it will sort itself out. We were told that for a while but we were worried so we did some internet research and found out about helmet therapy."

Oliver's treatment, which included the cost of the helmet and private consultations, cost Sally and her husband Nick £1,800. Sally said: "We didn't mind paying but I know that lots of people can't afford to pay that much. I think the treatment is only available at one NHS hospital at the moment."

Sally is hoping to raise awareness of the condition and money for plagiocephaly charity Headstart4Babies by holding a raffle and taking part in a power walking marathon.

The raffle will be taking place at the Sun pub in Lemsford on Friday May 5 from 8pm.

Sally said: "Much as it has been hard for us to deal with Ollie's condition we really want the public to know more about it. Everyone around here knows Ollie and people have been very generous.

"Every business in Lemsford has given us something from the raffle and we've got prizes from John Lewis and Waitrose, and we've got golf lessons, massages and meals out in pubs."

Sally's aim is to raise at least £1,000 through the raffle and the sponsored power walking marathon, which will take place on May 13.

To find out more about either event email Sally at sallylaflin@hotmail.com

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