Lizzy's Story
i have club feetI'm Lizzy; I’m 19, an aspiring actress/writer, and very insecure but hopeful that it’ll get better. Here's my club foot story:
Okay, so I've always known that I had surgery on my right foot when I was a wee infant, but my parents never actually told me I had a club foot. I feel kinda stupid for not figuring that out until about a year ago, but hey, they don't really teach you about this stuff in school.
Because of the surgery on my right foot, I always had a slightly skinner right leg. My parents conditioned me to not be ashamed of this; I kind of forgot about it for about 17 years, to be truthful. My favorite article of clothing is a black skirt that comes down to my knees. I love costumes and I don't like to let that one thing hinder me from wearing skirts that show that part of my leg, and shorts when it's warm out, etc.
But this past year, I began to hate my body.
It began last summer when I found out I had mild scoliosis, actually, which doesn't have much to do with anything (it's barely noticible, barely even scoliosis), but it was the catalyst. I started to wonder if my foot had something to do with the spinal disorder; I then realized that, along with being thinner, my right leg was somewhat shorter.
I mentioned earlier that I'm an aspiring actress. This past year, I started college hoping to eventually get into a musical theatre program at my school, which involves learning how to dance. But as I started classes, I realized that my foot would get in the way of this. My right foot doesn't flex very well (making ballet very difficult), and my dance teacher greatly discouraged me about my 'deformity' and my potential as a dancer.
Deformity is an ugly word, isn't it?
For a year now, I can't seem to get past how ugly I feel my body is, and how far away some of my goals feel. But I'm trying. I've realized that no one notices that my leg is thinner unless I point it out, and that being a professional ballerina isn't necessary to be an actress.
I'm putting my faith in God. I'm trying to get past my selfish disappointment in my imperfections. I know my condition could be a lot worse and that I'm lucky that I can walk, run, dance (sorta), and wear high heels (for the most part xD).
Stumbling across this site has made me realize that I'm far from alone. This is infinitely comforting, and I hope that my story is as beneficial as everyone else’s has been to me. =]
Added on 19 Jul 2009
Comments
All times are in GMT +01:00Comment added by Krisel Cabrera on the Mon 1 February 2010 a 12:49pm
Wow I am so surprised at how similar our stories are. I have always wanted to be a model, and because of being born with bilateral club feet I have been so discouraged. I also just learned that Kristi Yamaguchi had club feet and she is a famous ice skater! Keep on doing what you are doing. I am sure that if you have the talent and determination you can definitely make it! God bless.
Comment added by Jeanne Groves on the Thu 19 November 2009 a 10:42pm
I am 53, and I didn't really think of my foot as being a birth defect until about 10 years ago, so I totally understand. My parents always encouraged me to try whatever I wanted to do. I want to encourage you to do what you want to do.
Forget ballet, but if you want to do the other dances, I think you can. You may have to practice more, especially with your right foot, but go for it! I took tap, and had to work extra hard on the steps with my right foot, but I was able to do them. Keep trying and don't give up!