Information on ClubFeet in Black and White

Sam's Story

I was born with right club foot.

I had an operation when i was young (i still have the scars on my right calf) I had to wear casts for months but only for my right leg.

Therefore, this causes my claves to be unbalanced. My left calf is bigger than my right. Unlike most of the stories i read here, I dont suffer pain or aches and i dont have a problem with standing long hours. I can walk normally, run and do everything else normal.

I just have to put on a pair of long pants. I am at the age where I'm conscious of how i look from head to toe (I'm a girl, 22, never had a bf) and I just cant help asking 'why' everytime i look at my calves. I dont wear shorts or skirts because of it. I gave up going to the beach and doing water sports because of it. Most of my friends don't even know abt my calves except for those few that were from my primary and secondary schools. I was teased and made fun of especially from the boys abt it and if it's nt vocally, it's the stares. And it really hurts till today. I get depressed just thinking abt it. Even thought sometimes I try nt to think abt it bt deep down, I know that it will be apart of me forever.
Anyway, I came across this site while searching on calf implants. Personally, I felt that if I were to have 2 similar, balanced calves, I'd be a much happier person. I've had difficulties talking abt this and coming across this website is really amazing.

I should be thankful that I'm not suffering or having feet/ ankle pains 24/7. And I apologize if I might have hurt anyone's feelings bt I just need to know if there is anyone else out there who is in the same situation as I am? Or simply anyone who wishes to share their similar situations with me.

Sam



Admin Message
Note to all saying there feet is stopping them dating.

Your feet has nothing to do with not having a boyfriend, It is your confidance.

My girlfriend has Spinal Bifida, she has had numerous boyfriends, including me. You just need to get out there. Enjoy yourself, you only live once.

Comments

Comment added by : Annette on the 24 Jun 2008 at 07:29am
Hi, i no what you mean about the skinny right calf. I too have this issue, having had casts on for the first 13 years of my growing life and tending to weigh my weight always on my left side. I daily think about getting an implant, Have you gone further with you enquiries regarding one?
I too for many years, never wore dresses, etc.. for fear of ppl will notice. But i've been a flight attendant for the past 8 years, and quite frankly i prefer to wear the dress. In 8 years i've had only a few comments, and more than happy to discuss my leg abnormality if ppl raise the issue. I just figure, no one is perfect...
But would still love to no about the implants.....
Comment added by : Brighid on the 14 Jan 2008 at 18:25pm
Like you I also have smaller right calf and toes that I am constantly hiding!! Pools, beaches etc do take alot of courage and as for those beautiful toeless shoes!!! They always catch my eye and I also would love to be able to wear skirts or shorts - yes I know I should be grateful I can walk, run, play sports etc and thankfully suffer no pain. - BUT we are allowed to have our cross moments! (especially in shoe shops!!)By the way I am 38 and have only just explained to my very close friends why I never wear skirts! Yes it still does cause me embarassment and i know it shouldn't!
Comment added by : Tim on the 04 Dec 2007 at 20:00pm
I'm a College D-1 pitcher who's life revolves around strength. Working out with the team I see guys with bulging calves and then look at mine. I was born with bilateral club feet and had surgery early as a baby and also later in highschool. I have often thought about calf implants to fit in, but its the fact that I know what I have over come that got me to where I am. So let it be a smile from knowing what you have overcome to let people know your physical imperfections can't hold you down.
Comment added by : yellow glitter on the 29 Nov 2007 at 22:01pm
My case is like urs... teenager girl, club foot. But in my case the confidence problem comes fro m the fact that why would a guy want to date me with my ugly feet when he can date the girl next me who walks normal? Not to mention i have had many a head turner stare when i would approach guys to flirt or talk.. the head turner stare ppl wopuld think i was a freak. and bc of them it has pretty much dug engraved into my mind that im a freak and no guy would want to date me
Comment added by : Susan on the 28 Jul 2007 at 11:43am
Your story is very similar to mine. I had a left clubfoot that was operated on when I was a baby. I am now 37 years old and I have a muscular right calf muscle and my left is so small no matter how much exercise and lifting weights I have done. I never wear shorts or skirts. I, too, was teased as a child and that is hard to get over and have the confidence to wear shorts. I really can't stand the stares I get when I try to wear shorts or skirts. I have recently seen two plastic surgeons re: calf implant. One says he would do it but the other said I am not a good candidate. I have a husband that has never cared what my leg looks like, I know I am very lucky. I just still can't help but wish I could look normal.
Comment added by : Blayne on the 02 Apr 2007 at 20:30pm
My story is very much the same but very different because I'm a guy. I never wanted to wear a skirt but always wanted to wear shorts on hot days and felt very insecure about it. If I did wear shorts people would call me chicken leg, I would laugh about it with them but it hurt deep down. I've always been outgoing but I could be more outgoing, reading others stories is a real eye opener to how many people suffer from the same thing if not more then I do. I'll try to be a little more optimistic about this in the future, I can walk just fine and that should be enough to be thankfull for.
Comment added by : heather on the 21 Feb 2007 at 00:43am
your story is very similar to mine. i am now 24 years old and as a girl i have never been able to be comfortable wearing shorts or skirts. it has been very difficult for me because i have never met anyone with a club foot/feet and have not been able to tell anyone about it. i have had boyfriends, but were not able to tell them about it. does anyone have any suggestions about how to tell their boyfriend/girlfriend about it?
Comment added by : heather on the 21 Feb 2007 at 00:43am
your story is very similar to mine. i am now 24 years old and as a girl i have never been able to be comfortable wearing shorts or skirts. it has been very difficult for me because i have never met anyone with a club foot/feet and have not been able to tell anyone about it. i have had boyfriends, but were not able to tell them about it. does anyone have any suggestions about how to tell their boyfriend/girlfriend about it?
Comment added by : Brittnie on the 13 Nov 2006 at 02:07am
I also have club feet and my anckles are noticably smaller. I also suffer from pain in my feet.. and the fact that they still dont look normal, one was over corrected! It used to upset me (now 20) but ive learned to deal with it as best as I can!!
Comment added by : Janie on the 15 Sep 2006 at 22:06pm
I also have a problem with my calves, my left being noticably thinner than my right. When i was younger (I'm 24 now) i used to get so upset over this i would cry, although i have never had any trouble with relationships. It took me a long time to get over this,and still have hang ups, but don't let it take you over. You can be happy and beautiful without the killer heels and skirts, and I,m sure that you are.

Take care

Jane
Comment added by : Sam on the 14 Sep 2006 at 12:04pm
hey male sam, great to hear your comments. we r like two alike strangers, dont u think? haa. anyway, wat u said is true, this site allows us to talk about things that we've kept to ourselves for years. recently, i opened up to one of my girlfriend abt my disability. surprisingly, she didnt think much of it at all. i guess, people nowadays are more open and acceptable. well, noboby's perfect right. we just have to think positive and look forward to the best things in life. so cheeerios!

p.s. i'm frm singapore, where r u frm?
Comment added by : Male Sam on the 13 Sep 2006 at 01:01am
Youre right. In the past week ive realized that my club foot has nothing to do with my lack of success with women. It has everything to do with my crippling insecurity. Although im not going to say this site changed my life, i feel like its allowed me to talk about things ive kept to myself for so many years. Im now trying my best to be more confident and outgoing, and the more i do this, the more my fears seem silly and unfounded. I still have alot to work on, and every once in a while i relapse into depression, but im being treated. Thanks for your help and your work on this site.
Comment added by : Jamie (Site Admin) on the 07 Sep 2006 at 11:49am
Male Sam:
Also to all people with ClubFeet, or anyone who have not had a date.

Ask yourself this. What is the worst thing that can happen if you ask someone out.
Answer: They say no.
Thats it, The amount of operations we have had, I think we can handle a no from someone
Comment added by : Male Sam on the 06 Sep 2006 at 11:29am
your story sounds exactly like mine. exactly. Except i had a left club foot. Im a boy, 19, never had a gf.
Comment added by : stephen on the 01 Sep 2006 at 11:00am
Born with bilateral, played sports, career in surveying(of all things) had 8 operations until 6 yrs, suffer daily pain. Anyone have any suggestions on relief?
Comment added by : Sam on the 26 Aug 2006 at 14:34pm
U know wat. U're right. I guess that's wat i'm lacking; confidence. It's a major thing, bt I'm going to have to work on it.

Thanks!


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