Re: The look of leg braces

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the ideas Beata!

I do wear the ankle supports when I wear long pants. The thng is that I used to

wear shorts all the time before I really needed ankle supports and I used to get

compliments on my legs. I guess I can't do that so much any more but when I wear

the shorts without the ankle supports I can't go very far and yet a family

member told me my legs still look good. It's like some good that does me as I

can't wear them for that long or else I have to just sit around because I won't

be able to walk very far without the ankle supports. One lucky thing is I can go

without supports while riding my bike. Thanks for getting back to me!

Dawn

[Guest guest]

Hi Dawn,

I feel like you too! It is nice to wear skirts and shorts, but with braces - or

in your case ankle support - it is not an opption. First, it's not esthetic. A

skirt is a feminine thing, using it with braces, even though mine are nice

looking, sporty, is destoying the whole outfit. This might sound shallow for

people who think that walking is more important than looking good, but I would

like BOTH.

I was thinking that most women actually have to make this choice, because of the

high heeled shoes, which look great but are not comfortale to walk in. Lot of

women (not CMTers, I mean) still struggle with the highest heels because they

want to look good although there are perfectly comfortable heeless shoes to

wear.

So why shouldn't we with CMT care? I like fashion, nice clothes and shoes,

that's who I am, CMT or not.

This summer was my first with braces, so I had to invent my own methods. I wore

a jumpsuit a lot! It has got long pants and a sleeveless top. It looks great and

is not too warm even on the hottest days. I also bought a long skirt that goes

all the way down to my ankles. I wore this some, but long skirts are not my

favourites, but it was good when I went to the beach. But mostly I wore pants.

I tried skirts and shorts at home, but when people come to visit (and they come

every day to my house) I have to explain about the braces and after having done

that a couple of times, I got sick and tired of explaining. I don't even think

of the braces now, so explaining was like explaining " why I have got legs " -

because I need them to walk, obviously!

Now it is getting colder and I will soon be able to wear my favourite short

skirts again! I just use leg warmers on top of the braces! Have got three

different pairs, black, brown and grey. Ok, my legs look a bit thicker, braces +

leg warmers, but I have got nice legs too, so it is not that much difference.

Also the Blue rocker braces are very thin and invisible under pants.

I think that you can have CMT and still look good! There is no need to use ugly

clothes or shoes, just because they are comfotable. It might take longer to find

the good looking AND comfortable things, but for me it is essential. I like

esthetic things. Good looking legs are esthetic.

Beata

[Guest guest]

This has always been an issue for me too. I will wear my braces with shorts, but

do not like the way they look with skirts or even capris. Right now i am wearing

broken braces that are held together with packing tape (lovely) while i work on

learning to use my other braces. Pretty soon, i am just going to have to bite

the bullet and get new braces so i can stop wearing the same pair of shoes

everyday. I had been hesitant to buy new shoes until i worked out the brace

problem.

I went to a summer wedding and work a gorgoeus black and white top with white

pants and my only shoes happen to be black and white tennis shoes. I still felt

self conscious that i was at a wedding with ugly shoes, but most everyone

commented on my smile and how i seem to not let my limitations limit me. So of

course, we are our own worst critics!

Jackie

Re: The look of leg braces

 

Hi Dawn,

I feel like you too! It is nice to wear skirts and shorts, but with braces - or

in your case ankle support - it is not an opption. First, it's not esthetic. A

skirt is a feminine thing, using it with braces, even though mine are nice

looking, sporty, is destoying the whole outfit. This might sound shallow for

people who think that walking is more important than looking good, but I would

like BOTH.

I was thinking that most women actually have to make this choice, because of the

high heeled shoes, which look great but are not comfortale to walk in. Lot of

women (not CMTers, I mean) still struggle with the highest heels because they

want to look good although there are perfectly comfortable heeless shoes to

wear.

So why shouldn't we with CMT care? I like fashion, nice clothes and shoes,

that's who I am, CMT or not.

This summer was my first with braces, so I had to invent my own methods. I wore

a jumpsuit a lot! It has got long pants and a sleeveless top. It looks

great and is not too warm even on the hottest days. I also bought a long skirt

that goes all the way down to my ankles. I wore this some, but long skirts are

not my favourites, but it was good when I went to the beach. But mostly I wore

pants.

I tried skirts and shorts at home, but when people come to visit (and they come

every day to my house) I have to explain about the braces and after having done

that a couple of times, I got sick and tired of explaining. I don't even think

of the braces now, so explaining was like explaining " why I have got legs " -

because I need them to walk, obviously!

Now it is getting colder and I will soon be able to wear my favourite short

skirts again! I just use leg warmers on top of the braces! Have got three

different pairs, black, brown and grey. Ok, my legs look a bit thicker, braces +

leg warmers, but I have got nice legs too, so it is not that much difference.

Also the Blue rocker braces are very thin and invisible under pants.

I think that you can have CMT and still look good! There is no need to use ugly

clothes or shoes, just because they are comfotable. It might take longer to find

the good looking AND comfortable things, but for me it is essential. I like

esthetic things. Good looking legs are esthetic.

Beata

[Guest guest]

I like myself in all kinds of dresses.............

It doesn't matter to me how others perceive me.

I don't live to make others to think that I am beautiful.

Even super stars are criticized as dress ugly when they are on

red carpet in award ceremony.

No one else can determine or judge whether I look beautiful or not.

I don't live to win other people's recognitions.

I live to feel good about myself everywhere I go.

On Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 4:31 PM, Beata Boo <beataboo@...> wrote:

>

>

> Hi Dawn,

>

> I feel like you too! It is nice to wear skirts and shorts, but with braces

> - or in your case ankle support - it is not an opption. First, it's not

> esthetic. A skirt is a feminine thing, using it with braces, even though

> mine are nice looking, sporty, is destoying the whole outfit. This might

> sound shallow for people who think that walking is more important than

> looking good, but I would like BOTH.

>

> I was thinking that most women actually have to make this choice, because

> of the high heeled shoes, which look great but are not comfortale to walk

> in. Lot of women (not CMTers, I mean) still struggle with the highest heels

> because they want to look good although there are perfectly comfortable

> heeless shoes to wear.

>

> So why shouldn't we with CMT care? I like fashion, nice clothes and shoes,

> that's who I am, CMT or not.

>

> This summer was my first with braces, so I had to invent my own methods. I

> wore a jumpsuit a lot! It has got long pants and a sleeveless top. It looks

> great and is not too warm even on the hottest days. I also bought a long

> skirt that goes all the way down to my ankles. I wore this some, but long

> skirts are not my favourites, but it was good when I went to the beach. But

> mostly I wore pants.

>

> I tried skirts and shorts at home, but when people come to visit (and they

> come every day to my house) I have to explain about the braces and after

> having done that a couple of times, I got sick and tired of explaining. I

> don't even think of the braces now, so explaining was like explaining " why I

> have got legs " - because I need them to walk, obviously!

>

> Now it is getting colder and I will soon be able to wear my favourite short

> skirts again! I just use leg warmers on top of the braces! Have got three

> different pairs, black, brown and grey. Ok, my legs look a bit thicker,

> braces + leg warmers, but I have got nice legs too, so it is not that much

> difference. Also the Blue rocker braces are very thin and invisible under

> pants.

>

> I think that you can have CMT and still look good! There is no need to use

> ugly clothes or shoes, just because they are comfotable. It might take

> longer to find the good looking AND comfortable things, but for me it is

> essential. I like esthetic things. Good looking legs are esthetic.

>

> Beata

>

>

[Guest guest]

It is interesting to read this thread because it is exactly the kind of

progression I am waiting for from my daughter. She was diagnosed about 1.5

years ago & got her first braces last fall. She is 8 years old & in 3rd grade

and so far takes it all in stride & has no problem telling people that no, she

is not heading off to soccer but she is wearing leg braces to help her walk. Of

course I cringe to think of the coming middle school years when she may be a bit

more self conscious, but hopefully she'll maintain her free spirit through it

all. This summer we went for a week to a resort on the beach. All the kids in

the kids club ran around in flip flops & sandals, she was a trooper in her

braces & crocs all the way to the beach!

mom to Kayla CMT 2

>

> Hi Dawn,

>

> I feel like you too! It is nice to wear skirts and shorts, but with braces -

or in your case ankle support - it is not an opption. First, it's not esthetic.

A skirt is a feminine thing, using it with braces, even though mine are nice

looking, sporty, is destoying the whole outfit. This might sound shallow for

people who think that walking is more important than looking good, but I would

like BOTH.

>

> I was thinking that most women actually have to make this choice, because of

the high heeled shoes, which look great but are not comfortale to walk in. Lot

of women (not CMTers, I mean) still struggle with the highest heels because they

want to look good although there are perfectly comfortable heeless shoes to

wear.

>

> So why shouldn't we with CMT care? I like fashion, nice clothes and shoes,

that's who I am, CMT or not.

>

> This summer was my first with braces, so I had to invent my own methods. I

wore a jumpsuit a lot! It has got long pants and a sleeveless top. It looks

great and is not too warm even on the hottest days. I also bought a long skirt

that goes all the way down to my ankles. I wore this some, but long skirts are

not my favourites, but it was good when I went to the beach. But mostly I wore

pants.

>

> I tried skirts and shorts at home, but when people come to visit (and they

come every day to my house) I have to explain about the braces and after having

done that a couple of times, I got sick and tired of explaining. I don't even

think of the braces now, so explaining was like explaining " why I have got legs "

- because I need them to walk, obviously!

>

> Now it is getting colder and I will soon be able to wear my favourite short

skirts again! I just use leg warmers on top of the braces! Have got three

different pairs, black, brown and grey. Ok, my legs look a bit thicker, braces +

leg warmers, but I have got nice legs too, so it is not that much difference.

Also the Blue rocker braces are very thin and invisible under pants.

>

> I think that you can have CMT and still look good! There is no need to use

ugly clothes or shoes, just because they are comfotable. It might take longer to

find the good looking AND comfortable things, but for me it is essential. I like

esthetic things. Good looking legs are esthetic.

>

> Beata

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am more than the braces

I am more than CMT

I am more than depression

I am more than my looks

I am more than my feelings

I am more than my body

I am more than my intelligence

I am much more than any human being can know, image, think, and understand

> >

[Guest guest]

Caroline

So glad you wrote this email.......

I'm so much in agreement with you!

I'm not into what other think of the way I dress.

Not living to inpress people...I'm just me

take it or leave it!

What a life .to worry what others think or see me!

That would drive me nuts.

Geri

[Guest guest]

,

Do hope the kids wont give Kayla a bad time....

Sounds like your child is handling her leg braces very well

Geri

>

>

[Guest guest]

I too wear leg braces, mine are custom graphite, light and thin. I have found

that I can wear knee high boots over them! I find the type for extra wide

calves. Aerosoles are the brand. Now I can wear skirts, dresses, leggings and

still look stylish. We do have to be creative due to our challanges!

Gigi

[Guest guest]

i get my braces on monday, i am going to let my grandson color pic on them with

wash off marker. he will have fun and not feel funny about grandmas legs. he is

three.

tina

cmt1a

[Guest guest]

Don't think how others think about me

Don't guess how others feel about me.

If they love me, they will clearly love me.

If they hate me, I don't need to know.

Every human being has his or her own issues and shadows

Influenced by the shadows, he or she tends to project his or her

own stuff onto us.

Our life is too short to become the reflection of others' projections.

Live our own lives, not others' lives.

Caroline

[Guest guest]

Hi Geri,

I think we are different. Some people care about their appearence. Some don't! I

know a woman who goes to the shop in her pyjamas - with a happy smile on her

face! I would only do this if I was walking in my sleep! (And I would consider

it a nightmare!)

Beata

[Guest guest]

Beata,

You are so wrong about me...Where did you get the idea I didn't care about my

appearance? I don't care what others think of my appearance, there is a BIG

difference!

I just don't go all out to please others nor do I put on a show for others.I'm

just me. I live dangerously...I dress,for comfort.LOL

If people don't like it then they are not worth my time! I also will not

jeopardize getting hurt, falling down, tripping of losing my balance to look

good for others.

As far as the lady in her PJs Was she hurting anyone?....guess she is her own

person and not trying to impress anyone and she had a happy smile.....Good for

her " Happy and Smiling " Something one doesn't see very often, I hope you smiled

back? I would and I would wish her a nice day too! So if you ever see her give

her a big Hello from me, with a smile....it might even make her day a little

more happy!

You know my step dad goes out in the yard in his PJs and was waiting for the bus

to go the VA.......he is a happy soul too! He would go shopping in his PJs if he

could. Might even go out there nude one day. " gasp " ! He has Alzimmers, but people

are kind to him anyway and just a smile,a wave,a hello,makes him so happy.He

gets that twinkle in his eyes. Sometime he will have two different shoes on and

his PJ top but we don't care, we love him as he is, he knows that and remembers

that for the time being, it makes him happy and he smiles.....thats what counts

in life isn't it?

Or is life all about looks,isn't that too bad when one thinks about it. The

world has been like this for so long! I wonder how many people have committed

suicide because they didn't think they looked good enough and weren't excepted

by the popular crowd?

We can't all be the same or live as others think we should,

Thank God for that......you see for a time, I beat myself up trying to please

others and impress them too......Then I woke up!

It feels so good too be me. I get very sad and depressed sometimes the way

people are too others and they way they perceive the human race. The people that

think they are better, Here is the key word.I'm depressed " for " them and

disgustingly sad " for " them. Guess the saying is true " Beauty is only skin

deep " . Have seen too many people that think they are a knock- outs or they try

so hard!.... but so many are ugly on the inside and shallow too.

Blessings

Geri

[Guest guest]

Caroline,

That is so true and spoken very well...

Blessings

Geri

Don't think how others think about me

Don't guess how others feel about me.

If they love me, they will clearly love me.

If they hate me, I don't need to know.

Every human being has his or her own issues and shadows

Influenced by the shadows, he or she tends to project his or her

own stuff onto us.

Our life is too short to become the reflection of others' projections.

Live our own lives, not others' lives.

Caroline

[Guest guest]

Tina, what a wonderful idea.

Love,

>

> i get my braces on monday, i am going to let my grandson color pic on them

with wash off marker. he will have fun and not feel funny about grandmas legs.

he is three.

>

> tina

> cmt1a

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Tina,

I don't know what kind of braces you are getting but I wouldn't let anyone color

on them . This may sound overly cautous but I like to keep my braces (which are

black) as nice as possible. Any scrapes make braces more noticeable and the

carbon material may not take washable markers very well. Good luck. Maybe your

grandson has shin guards that he can wear while you wear your new shin guards.

Kim

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Kim, that is a good idea too.

Tina

>

>