Emanuel's Story
i have club feetI was born in 1987 and, from what im told, had a successful sugery on my right clubbed foot. I have very vague memories of wearing cast and more recent ones of doing mind numbing physical therapy that I could not stand to keep up with. Either way, I am proud to say that I have lived a completely 'normal' life, never allowing the foot to hold me back. For me, the 'setback' as some would call it, acted as a virtual chip on my shoulder. This combined with an extremely competitive personality led me to strive always harder to excel. I play a variety of sports, including basketball, football, and even cross country in high school and I always wanted to stick it to those 'normal' kids! ; ) More often than not, I do!
Well, I would call my tale a success story because the foot really hasnt limited me physically. Unfortunately, 19 years into my life, I am still extremely self concious about my one thin leg. All of the sports I played and the limited mobility of my clubbed foot has made my left leg become huge and consequently, very muscular. The almost doubled work load of my left leg has it looking like that of a body builder while the right pales in comparison. I wear shorts once in a blue moon and rarely go to the beach that I loved so much in my childhood, when the pressures of conformity and normalcy hadnt truly manifested themselves. Writing this now, Im smiling wide, because Im proud of myself and for the all of the other successes on this site. I have been considering a leg implant but something inside me tells me Id benefit more from accepting myself totally. I just want to throw on a pair of shorts and outrun, outjump, and outplay all of those 'normal' people. 'Normal' means nothing. No one is more normal than you could ever be, even if you had three clubbed feet! Yig Shamesh
Added on 30 Nov 2006
Comments
All times are in GMT -04:00Comment added by Cwatts on the Wed 14 October 2009 a 02:15pm
I am 43. I have played every major sport even mma. So thankful for my parents sacrifice in my early years, surgeries, shoes, etc. Problem now is dealing with almost 24/7 severe pain. Hard to work a job anymore that requires walking, which is required in my field. Im too young for disability benefits in the U.S. and could use a little help.
Comment added by Lizzy on the Sat 18 July 2009 a 11:40pm
I am so glad I found this site... I've never known anyone who had the same problem I have (one calf thinner than the other), and now I see that I'm not alone. =]
Comment added by Jas on the Tue 30 June 2009 a 05:38am
This story sounds just like myn, except I was born with both feet clubbed. I played every sport and played football at a college level. Both of my calfs are smaller then the rest of my body, thinking about getting implants too, not sure yet. After reading some of these posts I am actualy feeling really lucky to have had the life I had. I had two surgeries, the last one when i was 6. Everything worked out for me, good luck to those parents.
Comment added by Jas on the Tue 30 June 2009 a 05:38am
This story sounds just like myn, except I was born with both feet clubbed. I played every sport and played football at a college level. Both of my calfs are smaller then the rest of my body, thinking about getting implants too, not sure yet. After reading some of these posts I am actualy feeling really lucky to have had the life I had. I had two surgeries, the last one when i was 6. Everything worked out for me, good luck to those parents.
Comment added by Hannah on the Thu 23 April 2009 a 08:50pm
wow, I'm amazed that so many other people have the same exact insecurity as me. I was born with a left club foot, so therefore my right calf is normal, while my left is tiny..plus, my ankle looks really weird. I hate wearing shorts, capris, skirts, really anything that shows my calves..I've tried to overcome it for 19 years and it just isn't happening for me, while I know I should just accept it and embrace it, because at least I am able to walk. I also just recently talked to my mom about getting a calf implant too..I'm REALLY considering it..but afraid it would be alot of money wasted, and my leg still wouldn't look normal.
Comment added by Hannah on the Thu 23 April 2009 a 08:49pm
wow, I'm amazed that so many other people have the same exact insecurity as me. I was born with a left club foot, so therefore my right calf is normal, while my left is tiny..plus, my ankle looks really weird. I hate wearing shorts, capris, skirts, really anything that shows my calves..I've tried to overcome it for 19 years and it just isn't happening for me, while I know I should just accept it and embrace it, because at least I am able to walk. I also just recently talked to my mom about getting a calf implant too..I'm REALLY considering it..but afraid it would be alot of money wasted, and my leg still wouldn't look normal.
Comment added by Jevin on the Sun 19 April 2009 a 04:18pm
I am a 35 year old male. And to this day I am very self conscious about my thin calves. I am a big guy....so the thin calves look very strange on me. To this day it really makes me sad that I can not feel comfortable in shorts in public. I hate this. I cannot get over this problem either.
Comment added by John on the Sun 7 September 2008 a 01:17am
Dude exactly like me man, i have huge right leg from playing soccer and a tiny left leg, i love the fact of being able to play sports at all and it is what i want to do in the future to bad for me many coaches and scouts cant get past the little leg thing so im considering that implant. thnx good to know im not the only one.
Comment added by Ezra A Marino on the Mon 11 August 2008 a 10:44am
My grandson had two club feet and is not walking. The Doctors want to do eight-bone surgery but he has angular knees and I am worried. My daughter says her son will have the surgery. Are there any issus with this eight-plate growth system? Are there any other ways to enable him to walk?
Comment added by Ezra A Marino on the Mon 11 August 2008 a 10:42am
My grandson had two club feet and is not walking. The Doctors want to do eight-bone surgery but he has angular knees and I am worried. My daughter says her son will have the surgery. Are there any issus with this eight-plate growth system.
Comment added by CB on the Wed 4 June 2008 a 04:45pm
Wow, so many people with a problem I thought no one had but me.
Comment added by CB on the Wed 4 June 2008 a 04:45pm
Wow, so many people with a problem I thought no one had but me.
Comment added by Susan on the Sat 28 July 2007 a 11:21am
I am 37 and was born w/left club foot. My problem is just like yours - my right leg is very muscular and the left is very small. I never wear shorts either. I would love to. I don't have the confidence to wear shorts or skirts like others. I have recently checked into a calf implant but was told I am not a good candidate. Best of luck to you.
Comment added by Gwilym Wren on the Thu 1 February 2007 a 06:35pm
I have the same, one thin leg and one normal one. Im 50 now and have been lucky that it hasnt held me back.
Be proud of your achievements and the equipment that helped you make them - get the shorts out.
Comment added by Joe Barry on the Sat 27 January 2007 a 12:35am
I have the same problem with a small right calf, big left one. Nobody is perfect! Wear shorts everyday and do not care about other people. If they do not like you, for you, then tell them to go fly a kite.
Comment added by Jill on the Sun 14 January 2007 a 02:44am
O.M.G. !!! I have the same problem !! my left leg is tiny and stays that way no matter what I do. I love to wear shorts. Here In colorado I wear them almost year round. Yes, I have had people inform me that one of my legs is bigger ( just in case I didn't know ) but I dont let it bother me. Who cares? Wear your shorts !!! Its your life be comfortable!!!
Comment added by Michael Wilson on the Fri 12 January 2007 a 01:22pm
I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND. YOU ARE A MIRROR IMAGE OF MY LIFE.