Information on ClubFeet in Black and White

Emanuel's Story

I 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

Comments

Comment added by : CB on the 04 Jun 2008 at 16:45pm
Wow, so many people with a problem I thought no one had but me.
Comment added by : CB on the 04 Jun 2008 at 16:45pm
Wow, so many people with a problem I thought no one had but me.
Comment added by : Susan on the 28 Jul 2007 at 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 01 Feb 2007 at 18:35pm
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 27 Jan 2007 at 00:35am
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 14 Jan 2007 at 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 12 Jan 2007 at 13:22pm
I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND. YOU ARE A MIRROR IMAGE OF MY LIFE.


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