Tag Archives: Annette Giacomazzi

How to Shovel Snow When Wearing A Boot, Cast, Brace, or While On Crutches

How to Shovel Snow When Wearing A Boot, Cast, Brace, or While On Crutches

Tip #1 DON’T DO IT!
Yep! Shoveling snow while you are not able to properly bear weight is just not a smart thing to do. Seriously! There’s no way to stand and properly balance yourself, or to turn and pivot correctly without ending flat on your face with the great risk of more injury.

Tip #2 Help the Local Economy and Hire Neighborhood Kids
Pay the kids in the neighborhood their going rate to shovel your yard and sidewalk. You’re keeping them out of trouble, they make a little change, and you get to stay snug in your warm home sipping hot apple cider. As an added bonus – you don’t end up having another injury.

Tip #3 Ask for Help
OK, so you may not want the neighborhood kids doing the job (maybe they’re charging a premium for their services!), but you need help. ASK FOR IT. Simple as that! Family, friends, members of your church or community groups. Use them. They can only help if you ask.

Just say no and back away from the shovel (or snow-blower)! As your non-medical broken bone expert and healing advocate, you must trust me on this!  I’ve dealt with a lot of broken bones (my daughter has had 12!) and heard horror stories from our customers who have made the mistake of thinking they could shovel snow while on crutches (try picturing it and the disastrous results). If you are using any kind of orthopedic device (boot, cast, brace, crutches, knee-walker) you are compromised, which means you must take extra care, and sometimes you just can’t do it all.  Shoveling snow is one of those situations.  Your boots, crutches, casts, knee-walkers are not built for traction in the snow.

So, when it comes to shoveling snow while injured, the answer to the question “How do I shovel snow when injured?” is, “Don’t!”

~Annette
Feel Better, Heal Better!

 

The Accidental Entrepreneur

Owner & founder of CastCoverz!, Annette Giacomazzi, started out just like any other empathetic mom… wanting to make her daughter’s 6th broken bone a little more bearable. Annette began creating cute & fun covers for Elli’s casts, which quickly evolved into slings, seasonally themed cast covers– you name it! The ideas just kept coming!  Friends and family are supposed to “ooh” and “aah” and be supportive of an injured child or a mom with an idea.  But, it’s when strangers stopped them on the street that Annette had her “AHA!” moment and CastCoverz! was born.

First, Annette’s family contributed as the hands and feet of the business, out of their home.  The first employees even worked out of their home!  Eventually, CastCoverz! expanded to a warehouse that required a full team of sewists, shippers and customer service gems! Having found a unique niche in the orthopedic retail market, Annette created a flourishing business.

Fast forward 13 years, CastCoverz! is now the largest online retailer for orthopedic products and has earned its title by providing fun & functional products to comfort orthopedic patients. We are proud to have served hundreds of thousands of customers and retailers around the world.

Share Your Story!

Our customers are the heart & soul of our success! We LOVE seeing how CastCoverz! has helped you Feel Better so you can Heal Better! Share your family-friendly stories with us at cs@castcoverz.com for a chance to be featured on our Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/castcoverz)

More Info

Questions about sizing or custom cast covers? Give us a call 1-800-CASTCOVER (1-800-227-8268)

Playground Injury? Here’s What to Know

Playground Injury? Here's what to know

Playground Injury? Here’s what to know

With the weather heating up, kids are spending more time outside, which means more trips to the playground! But sometimes, all that fun comes with an unexpected downside—injuries. If your child has recently had a tumble and ended up with a broken bone, you’re not alone. Playground injuries are surprisingly common, and the numbers may shock you:

  • 40% of all injuries occur at the beginning and the end of every school year
  • 70% occur on public playgrounds
  • 70% of those injuries are severe and involve falls to the surface
  • Severe injuries can include concussions, stitches, fractures, and more

CRAZY, right?! Who knew that the changing of seasons could have such a significant impact on childhood injuries? Whether it’s the excitement of summer or the return to school, kids are more active, and accidents happen. If your child is now sporting a cast or boot, you’re probably wondering what comes next.

Got Hurt on the Playground? Here’s What to Know

A broken bone or injury can feel like a major setback, but there are ways to make the healing process easier. Here are a few key things to keep in mind after a playground injury:

1. Comfort is Key

Casts and boots can be itchy, bulky, and frustrating for kids. Make sure they have soft, breathable clothing that won’t irritate their injury, and consider protective covers to prevent snagging on furniture, clothes, or even pets!

2. Keep It Clean & Dry

One of the biggest challenges with casts and orthopedic devices is keeping them clean and dry. Whether it’s water from the pool or dirt from the playground, moisture and debris can cause discomfort and even slow the healing process. Waterproof protection and covers can help make everyday activities easier.

3. Encourage Safe Play

Just because your child has a cast doesn’t mean they have to sit on the sidelines! Look for low-impact activities that allow them to stay engaged while avoiding further injury. Talk to their doctor about safe ways to stay active.

4. Brighten Their Recovery

Let’s face it—kids don’t love being stuck in a cast. But a little color and personality can make a big difference! Fun, colorful covers for casts and boots can help make the experience a little more exciting and help your child feel more like themselves.

Playground Injury? We’ve Got You Covered

Maybe you’ve stumbled across our website because your child has experienced misfortune on the playground!  As you can imagine, a child in any type of cast or orthopedic device faces a number of discomforts; casts scratching on skin or Fido, snagging clothing or furniture, not being able to play in water without waterproof protection boots getting dirty from constant wear & tear? CastCoverz! offers a number of colorful solutions to brighten your child’s injury, helping your little one feel better & heal better.  

Activities You Can Do In the Snow While Injured

Activities You Can Do In the Snow While Injured

With the winter months upon us, there’s always one thing on everybody’s mind… Snow! There are so many activities to enjoy outside in the snow, but what if you’re in a boot or cast, are using crutches, or have your arm in a cast or sling? Well, there’s fun out there for you, too! Here are just a few great activities you can do in the snow while injured… (Regardless of our suggestions, we urge you to use common sense and to always follow your doctor’s advice!) Continue reading