AFO's For Me

[Guest guest]

,

I know we all are affected with our CMT challenges in different degrees. I

have footdrop in both of my feet and have loss most of the muscle from knees

down, however, my ankles do not turn over and I am strong from the knees up. I

used my cane for walking distances, away from home, and always felt more secure

with it than without. When walking without the cane I was very mindful of

picking up my feet, dropped my right hip really bad when walking and could not

stand still in one place without reaching out to steady myself, but I did it and

not very easily. I know now that this was very hard on my joints and my back.

With the AFO's I do not need my cane. I can stand upright, walk with a

full stride that feels almost natural, and stand still without reaching out to

steady myself. The sore hips have gone and my back feels much better. They have

helped with my fatigue because I am not misusing my body like I was before. I

have not been to a Mall yet, but I do not feel like I would take my cane in with

me. I think I would take it a little easy though, I am not sure what I would

feel like if I were to walk for any extended period of time like in a Mall. I

know I still have CMT, but the braces reinforce my mind and my body.

As far as going without the AFO's, I go without them now in my home but it

only reinforces my decision to have them. I do not walk any worse now without

them than I did before I started wearing them. I was stubborn too long and put

my body through the stress of walking without them needlessly. I certainly do

not have the freedom without them that I do with them!

For dressing up I think dress pants go just about anywhere and I know I

could slip a pair of trouser socks over the braces to hide them. The shoes are

really the problem though. I wear sneakers all the time, but I am actively

looking for a pair of black ankle type boots that would look better than

sneakers.

, as far as knowing what AFO's would do for you. I can only hope that

they would help you as much as they have me. If my sharing has encouraged you to

make the decision to try them, good. You will never know unless you try!

Good Luck to you and I sure will be interested to know what you decide.

Sharon