Melisssa's Story
i have club feetI am 22 years old. I was born with severe club feet. I had several surgeries and manipulations from when I was born until I was 4 years old. The last surgery was at 4.
From ages 8 to 11, I was in gymnastics. I became muscular especially my thighs, though no calf muscles at all. I didnt realize it until I was about 11-12 years old. I was teased a lot & from then on I only wore pants. It is so hard to overcome that, even as an adult it is very traumatizing. I did play in soccer though but wore chin guards to my knees with at least 3 pairs of knee high socks. I stopped playing after a year because the pain was too much. I started wearing custom shoe inserts. I cant walk very much but realize how lucky I am. I CAN WALK! Some people dont even have that privilage. I sometimes get mad at myself for not accepting the fact that my toes are curled & I dont have any calf muscles. "Big deal" is what my husband always says. He is so much more accepting than I am.
At 18 I went to a plastic surgeon after seeing a show on TV about calf implants. Well, I got them, at 18 & broke. I put it on my credit card. It was an improvement, they still dont look normal, but my legs dont look scary anymore!
Recently, my inserts havent helped and I cant walk much at all. I am going to get some custom shoes made and try to cut back. My left ankle is the worst. I may have to consider surgery, I just dont know much about getting a reputable doc or if there are other ways to help support my ankles. I have heard from other people that insurance doesnt cover this kind of surgery, if anyone has experience with this please let me know. This is my life story with club feet, summed up, so far!
Added on 27 May 2006
Comments
All times are in GMT -04:00Comment added by Lauren Reale on the Thu 27 September 2007 a 12:39am
I was born in 1958 (49 years old now) with severe bilateral clubfeet. My feet were actually facing backwards. I had achilles tendon surgery at age one and went through all the castings, which were eventually like a pair of pants due to hip dysplasia that led to hip dislocation. I was teased in elementary school because of corrective shoes, etc. Although I tired very easily and had trouble keeping up in activities like running in gym, I got by. In the morning I walked on my toes for a while with some pain. After a while I could lower my feet and walk okay, but I always felt that I had an awkward gait, despite assurances from family and friends "it was all in my mind and I walked fine". I never believed them. As I got older I would always find ways to hide my feet because I felt they didn't look normal. I also became acutely aware of my underdeveloped calf muscles and was extremely self-conscience of how my legs looked. I would never wear a dress or shorts. No matter how hot it was I always wore long pants. People constantly bothered me asking why I didn't have shorts on in such heat, which added to my anxiety. For the past approx. 5 yrs. I've developed arthritis in my feet that causes my great pain that has only gotten worse over time. About a year ago I developed a pretty good size calcium deposit on my left achilles tendon. I also have a lot of back problems, previous back surgery,etc. I can't help but feel it might be all related. I just applied for disability and hope I get it because I can not work. I have to lay down a lot due to fatigue and pain. I've never been able to get over my body image problems related to my legs and feet. 49 yrs. old and I still won't wear shorts. I have a couple of longer summer dresses that I wear sometimes, but only because you can't see much of my legs. Sorry for the very long comment, but I never had any place to vent about my feelings regarding these problems. I keep telling myself that no else cares how my legs and feet look, I make too big a deal of it in my mind, and I'm lucky that I don't have worse problems as some others do. I try to talk myself out of my problems to some degree, but it doesn't work. I welcome anyone's comments. Laurie
Comment added by Lauren Reale on the Thu 27 September 2007 a 12:38am
I was born in 1958 (49 years old now) with severe bilateral clubfeet. My feet were actually facing backwards. I had achilles tendon surgery at age one and went through all the castings, which were eventually like a pair of pants due to hip dysplasia that led to hip dislocation. I was teased in elementary school because of corrective shoes, etc. Although I tired very easily and had trouble keeping up in activities like running in gym, I got by. In the morning I walked on my toes for a while with some pain. After a while I could lower my feet and walk okay, but I always felt that I had an awkward gait, despite assurances from family and friends "it was all in my mind and I walked fine". I never believed them. As I got older I would always find ways to hide my feet because I felt they didn't look normal. I also became acutely aware of my underdeveloped calf muscles and was extremely self-conscience of how my legs looked. I would never wear a dress or shorts. No matter how hot it was I always wore long pants. People constantly bothered me asking why I didn't have shorts on in such heat, which added to my anxiety. For the past approx. 5 yrs. I've developed arthritis in my feet that causes my great pain that has only gotten worse over time. About a year ago I developed a pretty good size calcium deposit on my left achilles tendon. I also have a lot of back problems, previous back surgery,etc. I can't help but feel it might be all related. I just applied for disability and hope I get it because I can not work. I have to lay down a lot due to fatigue and pain. I've never been able to get over my body image problems related to my legs and feet. 49 yrs. old and I still won't wear shorts. I have a couple of longer summer dresses that I wear sometimes, but only because you can't see much of my legs. Sorry for the very long comment, but I never had any place to vent about my feelings regarding these problems. I keep telling myself that no else cares how my legs and feet look, I make too big a deal of it in my mind, and I'm lucky that I don't have worse problems as some others do. I try to talk myself out of my problems to some degree, but it doesn't work. I welcome anyone's comments. Laurie
Comment added by Tania on the Thu 19 July 2007 a 01:29pm
I am 30 years old and also born with clubfeet.Had surgeries since i was born.I was also teased. In fourth grade I was a cheerleader. I had to wear leg warmers both my legs.Now my left foot heel is growing a bone. Im in alot of pain.My Dr. is making me a brace now. I hope that works... please e-mail me.
Comment added by Julia Ryan on the Sat 7 July 2007 a 11:39am
I am 23 years old and I was also born with clubfeet...... everything you said I can relate too.... I do not wear shorts and I was also tased all my life..... If you would like to chat pplease feel free to contact me.
Comment added by Julia Ryan on the Sat 7 July 2007 a 11:39am
I am 23 years old and I was also born with clubfeet...... everything you said I can relate too.... I do not wear shorts and I was also tased all my life..... If you would like to chat pplease feel free to contact me.