It’s been 15 years since artist, Paula Strawn began painting corrective helmets for babies with plagiocephaly and she’s loved every minute of it. Also known as “flat-head syndrome,” cranial plagiocephaly is a correctable condition that affects almost half of babies under one, but it takes an adjustable helmet to do so.
When Strawn was approached by a friend to spruce up a bland, white helmet for her granddaughter, she was a little nervous having never seen one before. But her designs were met with rave reviews, and the artist has gone on to paint more than 3,200 in the last decade and a half.
She tells PEOPLE, “It’s a fun, friendly and personal design that brings smiles to baby and a chance for parents to have a conversation about the helmet instead of pity [from others],” Strawn says. “Smiles are always preferable over pity!”
Each design is unique and takes three hours to 12 hours to finish. Strawn uses water-based non-toxic paint and the average cost runs from $220 to $300 each. Looking for a discount? The artist gladly marks down prices for military twin helmets.
If you’d like more information on getting a helmet designed by Strawn, head to her website, Lazardo Art.
––Karly Wood
Feature photo: Lazardo Art via Instagram
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