Kate Mills's Story
i have club feetI was born with two club feet and had surgery at 7 months.
I was in casts for the first bit of my young life and when I got out of them I was a very active child. The surgery went perfectly.
At age 7 I started playing soccer and until 16 competed on a national and international level on the best female soccer teams in the country.
I was very fast and powerful until my feet started to not be able to cope with my increased muscle mass and body weight, not to mention the running, and I fractured my feet 4 times within 6 months. I decided for my happiness I would not be able to run again and switched to cycling.
The lack of calves did not hold me back because of the INCREASED quad muscles.
At 18 I was on a pro team and have beaten many many records for power and speed. Cycling is something that doesn't cause me pain.
I have also been working with a ROLFER. She does body work and is adjusting my hips, loosening my feet and calves(which amazingly has allowed me to grow calf muscle) and many other amazing things.
If you are in the Seattle area I ABSOLUTELY recommend it!!!!!!! You can have a successful athletic life with club feet, you just need to find the right sport!!!!
Added on 01 Aug 2007
Comments
All times are in GMT -04:00Comment added by Katie on the Mon 6 October 2008 a 02:59am
Hi Kate,
I'm 21 and similarly had multiple surgeries the first year of my life in order to try and overcome clubbed feet. Within the last couple of years I've also discovered a love for biking. I love it because it puts little strain on my feet and I can stay active easily and go FAST, unlike running (which I can't do very well). It's true, a lack of calf muscles doesn't seem to cause any problems because of increased quad power. Awesome. I'm just glad to hear of someone who has really excelled in the cycling department--it seems like something that's been great for both of us.
-Katie
Comment added by Bonnie on the Sat 6 October 2007 a 11:49pm
Hi Kate,
I would also like to reccomend Osteopathy as an option for manipualtion and increase in movement.
I too have been very physically active all my life, tying to prove my worth I am sure.
Anyway, I was told by my surgeon when I was 20 that he would not need to see me untill I was 65 and was suffering from arthritis. Unfortunately, I have been having problems since my mid 30's.
I am looking for people who also have been active and are also getting older. So, Kate how old are you now, and how many surgeries have you had so far?
Thanks,
Bonnie