Information on ClubFeet in Black and White

Amanda's Story

Hello! My name is Amanda. I was born in Kentucky(U.S.A.) I have club feet(on both feet). My family had never heard of club feet till I was born. My father is from Thailand. He was has not been in my life since I was born. The doctors said it is more common over seas than in the US.
I do not remember much about my surgeries. My mom told me, I had only one major surgery about when I was 9 months old. Although I had to go to the hospital several times to get my casts changed. When the doctors changed it they put me to sleep.
I have a picture of me as a baby with a little boy in my hospital bed with me. He only had club feet on one foot. I would give anything to meet him again, and to see how he is doing. My mom said, we were great friends in the hospital. As I stated before I was born on February 8,1980 in KY. If you are this little boy or you think you may know him;please email me!
I remember all through school having to wear high top shoes. Or specially made shoes which were ugly. I was so excited when my mom gave in;and let me wear normal low cut tennis shoes as well as flip flops. She thought people would tease me about my feet. Most everyone knew about my feet. Those who didn't asked questions some just stared. I answered every question I could. I recall some people asking if I had two left feet. I was like no;thought that was a odd question. Questions I didn't know how to answer I didn't care. For I was happy to be alive and be able to walk.
My mom was a single parent until she met my step dad when I was 8 years old. My mom has always pushed me to be all I can be. She never let me having club feet hold me back.
In school I did cheer-leading, band etc. I had to withdraw from school due to being short credits;from where we moved a lot. I got my GED and went on to college. Where I also graduated with a degree to teach preschool.
Now I am a assistant manager of a job I love! I am also married with three wonderful children. Me having club feet only holds me back from wearing certain shoes.
I am not ashamed as I have been sometimes before. For I know God created me for a reason. If not only to educate people that everyone is different. But we are all equal in his eyes. I always tell people you are only handicapped as you want to be. As for myself I am not at all. I don't have a handicap sticker in my car. For I think someone out there needs it more than I do. Everyone tells me my feet only look as if I have severely flat feet. I only wish it were that, for then I could wear all the shoes I want. If anyone out there knows of a surgery;or special shoes(that are nice)that I could buy please email me. Or if you just would like to chat please feel free to email me as well. Thanks for taking the time to read my story! Strive to be all you can be. For the road to happiness is just over the horizon and always with in your reach.

Comments

Comment added by : MARAQUEL on the 12 Jun 2008 at 14:50pm
email me.
Comment added by : stephanie g on the 12 Jun 2008 at 11:15am
hey my name is stephanie and i have club foot on both.im 14 and
i would like to talk to you on email. please email me.
thanks.
Comment added by : angelyn on the 16 Jan 2008 at 02:12am
hi!! i was inspired by your story.I hope I can do the same thing that you do..God blessed..
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Comment added by : taylor carson on the 15 Nov 2007 at 20:50pm
hi my name is Taylor and I am 12 years old. I was born on January 12th, 1995 in Tucson, Az. The doctor didn't say anything to my parents about my feet because I was having trouble breathing, but when I was stable enough to see my parents the first thing they did was unwrap my blanket to count all my toes and that's when they saw my feet. I was diagnosed with severe bilaterlal club feet and started castings when I was less than 24 hours old. I had weekly cast changes and then bi-weekly cast changes and at 4 months old I had my achilles tendon snipped, more casts and than finally AFO's. This was only temporary though and at 17 months I had to have major surgery on my left foot, basically to cut tendon, bones and ligaments, I also had pins placed in my foot. About a year later they did my other foot. I went back into serial castings, AFO and corrective shoes and everything seemed to go ok until I was 7. My feet started to regress and they really turned in and were tight. I had a tendon transfer on both feet. Since then I haven't been able to walk long distances without being in alot of pain. About 2 years ago my ankle on one foot started to collapse so I started wearing a orthodic. I had to start seeing a new doctor when I was 7 because my doctor that I had seen since birth retired. He said that if I needes more surgery that he would have to start fusing bones together. My mom would never let that happen. I am now seeing a new doctor that has more experience with club feet and I am currently in a cast on my left foot to help stretch out the tendon. However the right foot is not doing as well and I am having surgery soon. My heel is out of alignment 75 degrees and my arch needs to be rebuilt, this should help put my ankle back into position. I don't know if I'll ever be pain free though. I do stay busy with sports and dance. I'm a little bit slow when it comes to running, but I won't let it stop me from doing the things I love.


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