Warrnambool couple offer helping hand to children with hip dysplasia

The couple was advised Rumi would need to wear a full body harness for three months to give her the best chance of recovery.

Rumi is now six months old and no longer has to wear the harness.

Her grateful parents want to raise awareness and funds to help other families experiencing what they did.

"We found there was little information about this topic online and in the community," Mrs O'Brien said.

The couple also found a number of members of the public were confused as to why their infant was wearing a full body harness.

When they were given the good news that Rumi was hip healthy, the couple vowed to help other families ensure their children with hip dysplasia are given the best chance of recovery.

"We have recently launched a clothing apparel brand for infants and children with and without hip dysplasia, given our struggles with trying to dress her with her harness," Mrs O'Brien said.

A percentage of the profits from each sale on the couple's website will be donated to the Warrnambool Paediatricians to help cover the costs of hip wear, such as the Pavlik harness or DBB braces, to other south-west families.

The couple is also hosting a Hike 4 Hips fund-raiser in the month of November.

Mrs O'Brien said participants would be asked to walk 50 kilometres over the course of the month.

The couple hope to raise $5000, which will cover the cost of basic harness needs for a year.

"This will cover the total amount of harnesses/braces that are needed for the whole 2022 year for Warrnambool and the south-west coast," Mrs O'Brien said.

"This fund-raiser will not only provide the tool to help children and their families reduce the load of other outstanding consultation fees and scans, it will also bring awareness to this abnormality in infants and help normalise it in the community."

Mr O'Brien said the couple was extremely grateful they were referred to a specialist.

"Without our referral to Warrnambool Paediatricians, we would have never known our baby girl needed the help, we owe them our daughter's quality of life and we are forever grateful," he said.

"We want the same incredible outcome for every other family going through or about to go through this same journey."

For more information visit www.Littleroothelabel.com.au/our-mission

IN OTHER NEWS:

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: