Living with a Club Foot: It’s a Wild Ride!
Living with a Club Foot: It’s a Wild Ride!
So, you’ve got a club foot. Or maybe you know someone who does. Either way, let me tell you, it’s not always a walk in the park (pun intended). This funky birth defect, also known as congenital talipes equinovarus (try saying that five times fast), affects about 1 in every 1,000 babies. It’s like winning the lottery, but you get a foot twisted inward and downward instead of millions of dollars. Lucky you! Actually, it was lucky me in 1958. In those days, orthopedic surgery and medical help were starting to improve, but they were still very different than today.
First off, let’s talk about the physical stuff. Having a club foot can make getting around a bit of a challenge. Walking, running, and playing sports might not come as easily as they do for other folks. And don’t even get me started on the pain and discomfort. It’s like your foot constantly tells you, “Hey, I’m not supposed to be this way!” But hey, at least you’ve got a built-in excuse for skipping leg day at the gym (Not for me; in fact, my coach, Kelvin Hinde, has increased my rigid ankle movement significantly and developed a calf muscle that never existed before).
Now, let’s dive into the wonderful world of treatment and rehab. If you’re lucky enough to have a club foot, you might get to spend a ton of time in casts, braces, and physical therapy sessions. It’s like having a part-time job, but you’re shelling out cash for all those medical bills instead of getting paid. And the best part? The treatment process can go on for years! It’s the gift that keeps on giving. It took fourteen years before I could remove my leg irons (calipers). I had multiple surgeries as a baby and child, including the cutting of the Achilles tendon as a baby, which now has calcified as the rest of the foot, leading to degenerative arthritis. Pins held the foot together, which can no longer keep everything together tightly. An ankle and heel were manufactured by the surgeon. The foot is two sizes smaller, and the leg is shorter.
But wait, there’s more! Having a club foot can also do a number on your social life and emotional well-being. Kids with club feet might have to deal with bullies who don’t understand why their foot looks different. And let’s be honest: kids can be brutal. This can lead to some pretty crummy feelings, like self-consciousness and low self-esteem. In my case, as a teenager, this led to not only normal teen rebellion but also a hatred of society and those who hurt me for so long. This all led to many years of violent behavior. Even as adults, people with club feet might struggle with body image issues and feel like they don’t quite fit in. I finally didn’t care what people thought of my leg and started to wear shorts when I lived in Utah and Arizona.
But here’s the thing: having a club foot doesn’t have to hold you back. Plenty of folks with this condition have gone on to kick some serious butt in life. With the proper treatment, support, and a whole lot of determination, you can totally crush it.
And thanks to some pretty nifty advances in technology and specialized footwear, having a club foot doesn’t have to stop you from doing the things you love. In my case, I was told I couldn’t play sports, but I did. I was told I couldn’t ride motorcycles, but I did for 50 years. I was told I couldn’t do the jobs I wanted to do, but I did. I learned to ignore what others told me, and I still do.
Many famous people have been born with a club foot, including Roman Emperor Claudius, the poet Lord Byron, the comedian Damon Wayans, Actor Dudley Moore, footballer Steven Gerrard, and film director David Lynch.
Kristi Yamaguchi went on to win figure skating gold in 1992. Soccer star Mia Hamm was born with the condition. Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Troy Aikman overcame it en route to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Freddy Sanchez cites his ability to overcome his club foot as the reason for his success.
So, if you or someone you know is living with a club foot, remember: it’s not the end of the world. Sure, it comes with its fair share of challenges, but it also comes with the opportunity to show the world just how tough and resilient you are. It shouldn’t stop you from doing anything you want! A physical disability you may have, but your mind is way more robust. And who knows? Maybe one day, having a club foot will be the coolest new thing. Stranger things have happened!
© Stephen G. Arrowsmith 2024
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