Harris Windsor Hay

When parents Robert and Deborah Mead from Halifax had their little boy Harrison, they couldn’t of been happier. It was their second child and they were thankful that there had been no complications during the pregnancy and birth.

When Harrison was just 10 weeks old, both parents noticed that his head seemed an odd shape. Neither parent mentioned it to the other, thinking that the condition would correct itself, and they also didn’t want to alarm each other unnecessarily.

When Harrison reached four months, his parents finally spoke to one another about their concerns, as his condition had progressed to the point that  Harrison didn't have the strength to turn his head away from the flat part of his head when he lay down. They decided to speak to their GP.

The GP was as helpful as he could be, informing the couple that the condition was known as plagiocephaly. He didn’t know much about it, which worried Robert and Deborah as they knew little themselves. Their GP advised them to research plagiocephaly on the internet.

While searching online the couple came across the Technology in Motion centre in Leeds, which specialises in treating plagiocephaly.  Robert said: “Their website provided all the information we needed. We had been informed by our GP that the NHS wouldn’t help with plagio cases which we thought was a disgrace, so we felt relieved that we found somewhere that could help our son.”

Harrison was just eight months when he began treatment, which involves wearing the STARband™ helmet which helps to mould the skull to a circular shape as the baby grows. Harrison took to the STARband straight away and didn’t mind wearing it almost 24 hours a day.

Now aged 18 months, his treatment is complete. Robert said: “Harrison’s head shape can now be referred to as "normal". Anyone unaware of his former condition would never be able to tell there was a previous problem. He can wear hats and even his ears line up, it’s fantastic!”

Robert continues: "If we hadn’t got the treatment for Harrison at Technology in Motion he could have suffered later in life. We’re so happy that he was treated before his skull had fully formed, otherwise his head would have been misshapen for the rest of his life.”