Re: AFO's barefoot? Smaller socks..

[Guest guest]

Gretchen:

No, I can't wear my AFO's barefoot; wish I could. They only have one

strap up at the top and would flop around/off w/o a shoe. It would

probably make them wear out much quicker though - they are not that thick.

One thing I do do though and others may refect or find helpful: I put

vaseline on my legs around he straps and wear the AFO would rub against them,

this way, I can wear a very small sock (ankle sock). With the Vaseline, I do

not get the friction sores or painful rubbing that I would without it. I

know others have mentioned that it causes the straps to wear out quicker and

that is true, but they still last a good while. If I had to wear knee high

socks all summer I'd go crazy or be more home bound because I just would not

wear my AFO's as I should. That is one thing about acceptance, I am getting

better about wearing my AFO's. I am fortunate in that right now (who knows

about the future), I can still get away without wearing them a lot of the

time - but I risk spraining an ankle, walking real slow and stumbling more.

Some acceptance has helped me to be a bit less vain and just wear the AFO's.

I do realize that, someday, I may not have a choice no matter how vain I am.

Good luck with the summer and the AFO's folks! : ) Marti