Norman Ross's Story

I am 33yrs old and also a former shriners kid, my parents to this day say they don't know what they would have done w/out shriners. I was casted from birth, followed by breaking and pinning my feet, with years of more surgeries, casts, brown bar and braces. My parents were told I would never walk by area docs. Thank God they found Shriners I managed to play multiple sports including gymnastics with minimal problems.My brother and I were both born with club feet although he had only one foot affected. I am finishing up my radiological science degree, I have experienced more pain lately because I'm on my feet taking x-rays all day. But I'll take it one day at a time. It's funny I knew most of the positioning for various leg and foot projections before I began this program. The best thing my parents did for me is never implying that I was different. They were addiment that I discover my own limitations, and encouraged me to try everything. Advice to parents NEVER make your child feel different. I have 3 children none of which have club feet.My husband and I feel very fortunate that this defect has not reared it's head. This is a genetic problem that has popped up in quit a few generations of my family. Good Luck to all the families dealing with the club foot process. Keep your heads up and hug your beautiful children.

I am 33yrs old and also a former shriners kid, my parents to this day say they don't know what they would have done w/out shriners. I was casted from birth, followed by breaking and pinning my feet, with years of more surgeries, casts, brown bar and braces. My parents were told I would never walk by area docs. Thank God they found Shriners I managed to play multiple sports including gymnastics with minimal problems.My brother and I were both born with club feet although he had only one foot affected. I am finishing up my radiological science degree, I have experienced more pain lately because I'm on my feet taking x-rays all day. But I'll take it one day at a time. It's funny I knew most of the positioning for various leg and foot projections before I began this program. The best thing my parents did for me is never implying that I was different. They were addiment that I discover my own limitations, and encouraged me to try everything. Advice to parents NEVER make your child feel different. I have 3 children none of which have club feet.My husband and I feel very fortunate that this defect has not reared it's head. This is a genetic problem that has popped up in quit a few generations of my family. Good Luck to all the families dealing with the club foot process. Keep your heads up and hug your beautiful children.

you are in the air force? are you qualified to be in the air force if you have a club foot? i wanted to join but thought that i wasnt qualified since i have a disability.

I was born with club feet also, they broke and cast them, One out of three of my daughters was born with club feet. SHriners in Hawaii provided special shoes, and braces, we are both fine. I spent 5 years in the military. The only thing I have a problem with is some foot pain when I have jobs that require standing on my feet all day. SO I Have a desk job. works for me. I never thought of it as a disability. Hasn't slowed me down. Just a minor inconvenience. Definitely hasn't slowed down my daughter.

Good job, you're an inspiration to others out there. My son is 11 and he was born with bilateral clubfeet and he also is a Shriner's kid. Without them he would not be walking. He now will soon be testing for his black belt in karate. He says he would like to be in the military some day, (his 2 brothers are in the Michigan Army National Guard)I just tell him to keep his head up high and reach for the stars.