tools for CMT/what are AFOs

[Guest guest]

I know of the curled fingers; my dad's are curled and he is unable to

straighten them completely anymore. I saw as I was growing up how the condition

of

his hands worsened, not only from CMT, but also because he spent alot of his

time grasping tools (he is a mechanic to this day). He had surgery on both of

his

feet between the ages 13-16 for the turning ankles, and now he wears braces

on his legs to help him walk more normally. He has worn them for as long as I

can remember. But the thing about my dad is that he is too stubborn to let the

CMT beat him. He has many different tricks and tools to help make things

easier. For example, he has a pair of needle nose pliers that he calls his

fingers;

he uses these mostly for picking things up. He also carries with him a

retractable magnet for picking up washers and nuts and bolts, etc. I wonder how

many

tools and things there are that are made specifically for people with CMT.

Also, I am not quite sure what AFOs are, can you explain?

[Guest guest]

Hi - sometimes some of us use tools to help in the kitchen

(like open jars) or tools to help dress (like buttoning) If you go to

our links section, and scroll done to the Tools folder, click to open it

and get the link to information. I don't use any special tools, just the

back of a butter knife to pop the seal on vaccum-packed jars.

AFOs are Ankle Foot Orthotics. There are many different kinds, I have

seen plastic ones that go inside the shoe up the back of the leg to the

knee and ones that are carbon graphite that go up the front of the leg.

I have seen colored ones and ones for kids with cartoons and action

heroes on them. More information and pictures are in our AFOs folder. I

don't use AFOs, so I'm sure people with them will tell you first-hand

experiences.

the link for both is /links

Hope this helps. ~ Gretchen