Information on ClubFeet in Black and White

Norman Ross's Story

I was born with my left foot turned completely around. At an early age my parents decided to do something about it.

Bones in my foot were broken it was turned around, set in a cast and then I was blessed to get set up with the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children.

I started at the San Fransisco hospital and then when we moved to Washington state I was transfered to the Portland Oregon hospital.

Thanks to a wonderful orginization, some very talented doctors and a determined mom who never let me quit at anything, I never thought I was that different from the other kids.

I spent 20 years in the US Air Force and am still going strong at 53. Although I have more aches and pains now I don't plan on slowing down until I have to.

My great nephew was born with club feet also and I convinced his parents not to ever let him feel different. He has grown into a fine young man and lets nothing stop him.

I also have friends with a daughter that was born with club feet and got them hooke up also with the Shriners hospital. Seeing their daughter running and playing and growing into a bright young woman sure does make me feel good.

I will finish this by once again thanking the Shriners orginization. They are one heck of a group of people.

Comments

Comment added by : cassie on the 26 May 2007 at 05:51am
I am 33yrs old and also a former shriners kid, my parents to this day say they don't know what they would have done w/out shriners. I was casted from birth, followed by breaking and pinning my feet, with years of more surgeries, casts, brown bar and braces. My parents were told I would never walk by area docs. Thank God they found Shriners I managed to play multiple sports including gymnastics with minimal problems.My brother and I were both born with club feet although he had only one foot affected. I am finishing up my radiological science degree, I have experienced more pain lately because I'm on my feet taking x-rays all day. But I'll take it one day at a time. It's funny I knew most of the positioning for various leg and foot projections before I began this program. The best thing my parents did for me is never implying that I was different. They were addiment that I discover my own limitations, and encouraged me to try everything. Advice to parents NEVER make your child feel different. I have 3 children none of which have club feet.My husband and I feel very fortunate that this defect has not reared it's head. This is a genetic problem that has popped up in quit a few generations of my family. Good Luck to all the families dealing with the club foot process. Keep your heads up and hug your beautiful children.
Comment added by : heather on the 21 Feb 2007 at 00:56am
you are in the air force? are you qualified to be in the air force if you have a club foot? i wanted to join but thought that i wasnt qualified since i have a disability.
Comment added by : Norma Laster on the 16 Aug 2006 at 18:25pm
I was born with club feet also, they broke and cast them, One out of three of my daughters was born with club feet. SHriners in Hawaii provided special shoes, and braces, we are both fine. I spent 5 years in the military. The only thing I have a problem with is some foot pain when I have jobs that require standing on my feet all day. SO I Have a desk job. works for me. I never thought of it as a disability. Hasn't slowed me down. Just a minor inconvenience. Definitely hasn't slowed down my daughter.
Comment added by : julie on the 14 Aug 2006 at 14:20pm
Good job, you're an inspiration to others out there. My son is 11 and he was born with bilateral clubfeet and he also is a Shriner's kid. Without them he would not be walking. He now will soon be testing for his black belt in karate. He says he would like to be in the military some day, (his 2 brothers are in the Michigan Army National Guard)I just tell him to keep his head up high and reach for the stars.


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