When we adopted our son, Samson, from China, the day that we met him was the most amazing day of our lives!  But there was one thing for which we were not prepared. The few photos of him that were provided us during the adoption process were taken directly from the front. But meeting Samson in person, and spending so much time with him during that very first day together as a family, we realized he had a strikingly flat spot at the back of his head! What did this mean, we asked ourselves?  Many worried thoughts dashed through our heads.

That night at the hotel, with Samson fast asleep, we decided to go online to see what we could learn about the skull and brain development of babies. Funny now that we think back, but I believe that our research started by typing in these key search words: FLAT HEAD! We were introduced to conditions that we had never heard of before. Plagiocephaly. Brachycephaly. Scaphocephaly. Torticollis. And the potential complications that can arise from all. It was sobering.

Our initial concern for Samson’s well-being really intensified, until we found the Web site of a company called Cranial Technologies. The information provided on their site was so helpful, and their treatment plan for infants seemed to make perfect sense. They fit each child with a DOC Band®, a custom-made plastic and foam helmet of sorts, that is designed to encourage new skull growth where needed—while at the same time preventing new skull growth in areas where further growth might not be wanted or needed.

As good fortune would have it, CranialTech was founded in our home town of Phoenix, and they maintain clinical offices at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital! Concerned about Samson’s relatively older age of about 15 months, we knew that time was probably of the essence. We actually made our first consultation appointment at CranialTech while we were still in China!

The rest is history. From day one we were treated like a member of the CranialTech family. The Phoenix offices are spotless, and the entire staff professional, knowledgeable, and courteous and accommodating in every way. We had initially worried some about Samson’s comfort in the Band, but as we eased into treatment, we quickly found that he really never minded having the band on his head at all! We experienced outstanding results throughout the treatment period, so much so that we opted for a second DOC Band, as well.

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and in our case that may be an understatement. We offer these before and after clinical pictures so that you can hopefully better imagine our joy and comfort as parents that Samson’s head shape has improved so dramatically!

Samson, age 15 months, at the beginning of treatment	Samson on graduation day!

We will always be grateful to CranialTech and the special care that they provided to our son, Samson. In our opinion, CranialTech clearly stands out as the best of the best in this specialized industry. We thank you for reading about our experience, and hope that it might help some of you when faced with a decision as to whether to band or not to band. Samson was in a DOC Band for the first eight months that we knew him, and it was tough at times. The occasional strange questions from people. But for us, the decision to put our trust in CranialTech to help with our son was one of the best decisions we have ever made.

I would like to leave you with pictures of some of the designs that my wife decorated onto the DOC Bands while Samson was being treated! She really had some fun with these!

We wish you all the best,

-Samson’s Family (Phoenix, Ariz.)