Post-clubbies have one thing in common when it comes to footwear - they have little in common with non-clubbies. Fit, function, and fashion? Well, we are lucky to get two out of three. There is of course a spectrum - some, such as myself, have decided to go custom only, as this option affords the best degree of all three. However, it has the downside of being expensive. Some have figured out they can use some combination of athletic shoes and street shoes, within limits, of course. A few continue to try for the fashion option despite the disadvantages in the realms of fit and function. You could argue that these are exactly the same variables non-clubbies face/choose, but the degree of compromise clubbies have to face is significantly greater. I know this because my sig other can walk into any shoe store in the land and come out broke, whereas I go into any shoe store and turn around and come right out again, usually depressed I can't buy a set of loafers.
To make it even more interesting, those clubbies who wear AFOs or bulky foot orthotics are even more limited, especially when it comes to fashion. Nobody is happy to be considered a fashion dweeb, but we either learn to get over it, or it drags us down further. Personally, I've pretty much accepted the fashion write-off, as it is far more critical I get reductions in pain. This is why I will never have a future as a masochist.
The custom option, besides being expensive, is increasingly difficult to find. Most folks have to travel a significant distance to find a custom shoemaker these days, and unless that shoemaker is younger, they will eventually find themselves where I now find myself - looking for a new shoemaker. Salvadore, who was both my fellow shoemaker, and my personal shoemaker after I stopped doing the work myself, has finally raised his hammer for the last time (that's a shoemaker's pun.) I am amazed he held on so long - he's eighty, and unfortunately, he's got the Big C. And despite having five sons, none wanted to follow in their father's footsteps, so he leaves no heir to take over the business. As he was also doing substantial work for the VA, and returning, wounded vets, there are going to be a lot of hurting folks just over one person's retirement. But, as they say, se la vie.
On another note, I'd like to share something I've been thinking about for a long time. Most clubbies know that when they go see a foot doc for their ever-increasing pain, they are more likely than not to be told they need a fusion. Now, I've made no bones about my feelings on this issue, but I understand why this seems the only option - it will indeed, hwoever temporarily, stop the pain. But eventually, the ankles go, and then the knees, so in essence, a fusion merely trades pain in one place for pain in another. So, as the only tool in the tool box, it's a devil's bargain.
And, I even understand why most surgeons are reluctant to try other approaches - no real research and nobody wants to be the first through that door. But somewhere out there is a orthopedist or podiatrist who can think outside the box, and be willing to work with clubbies toward more realistic and longer-lasting solutions. To that end, I am calling on all clubbies to start talking to their doctors about the possibility of participating in a conference where both doctors and clubbies will attend, the aim being to 1) offer the clinicians a larger population of clubbies to examine and listen to so as to broaden their understanding of the variations in both function and lack thereof in post-club feet, and 2) brainstorm with us clubbies on other potential approaches.
So, here is my offer: if you find this a compelling idea, and are willing to work to make contact with your doctor/s and with other doctors who might find this an interesting idea, I will host such a conference in the San Francisco Bay Area. I will be responsible for bringing clinicians from this area into the mix, and to securing a venue and all the planning needed for this to happen. I will propose a tentative date of June, 2013, which should be more than enough time to spread the word, and to get initial responses that will justify going forward with this idea.
And I will also extend this idea to those out there who have children currently being treated. I think that despite what their pediatric surgeons may tell them, their kids are as likely to have future issues as not, and they may find it reasonable to learn about what might be possible for their children as adults.
So, my question to all you clubbies out there is simple - would you find this a good enough idea that you would make the effort to come to such a conference? Let me know.
I mean, there doesn't seem to be much reason to keep accepting the status quo, from my way of thinking.
To make it even more interesting, those clubbies who wear AFOs or bulky foot orthotics are even more limited, especially when it comes to fashion. Nobody is happy to be considered a fashion dweeb, but we either learn to get over it, or it drags us down further. Personally, I've pretty much accepted the fashion write-off, as it is far more critical I get reductions in pain. This is why I will never have a future as a masochist.
The custom option, besides being expensive, is increasingly difficult to find. Most folks have to travel a significant distance to find a custom shoemaker these days, and unless that shoemaker is younger, they will eventually find themselves where I now find myself - looking for a new shoemaker. Salvadore, who was both my fellow shoemaker, and my personal shoemaker after I stopped doing the work myself, has finally raised his hammer for the last time (that's a shoemaker's pun.) I am amazed he held on so long - he's eighty, and unfortunately, he's got the Big C. And despite having five sons, none wanted to follow in their father's footsteps, so he leaves no heir to take over the business. As he was also doing substantial work for the VA, and returning, wounded vets, there are going to be a lot of hurting folks just over one person's retirement. But, as they say, se la vie.
On another note, I'd like to share something I've been thinking about for a long time. Most clubbies know that when they go see a foot doc for their ever-increasing pain, they are more likely than not to be told they need a fusion. Now, I've made no bones about my feelings on this issue, but I understand why this seems the only option - it will indeed, hwoever temporarily, stop the pain. But eventually, the ankles go, and then the knees, so in essence, a fusion merely trades pain in one place for pain in another. So, as the only tool in the tool box, it's a devil's bargain.
And, I even understand why most surgeons are reluctant to try other approaches - no real research and nobody wants to be the first through that door. But somewhere out there is a orthopedist or podiatrist who can think outside the box, and be willing to work with clubbies toward more realistic and longer-lasting solutions. To that end, I am calling on all clubbies to start talking to their doctors about the possibility of participating in a conference where both doctors and clubbies will attend, the aim being to 1) offer the clinicians a larger population of clubbies to examine and listen to so as to broaden their understanding of the variations in both function and lack thereof in post-club feet, and 2) brainstorm with us clubbies on other potential approaches.
So, here is my offer: if you find this a compelling idea, and are willing to work to make contact with your doctor/s and with other doctors who might find this an interesting idea, I will host such a conference in the San Francisco Bay Area. I will be responsible for bringing clinicians from this area into the mix, and to securing a venue and all the planning needed for this to happen. I will propose a tentative date of June, 2013, which should be more than enough time to spread the word, and to get initial responses that will justify going forward with this idea.
And I will also extend this idea to those out there who have children currently being treated. I think that despite what their pediatric surgeons may tell them, their kids are as likely to have future issues as not, and they may find it reasonable to learn about what might be possible for their children as adults.
So, my question to all you clubbies out there is simple - would you find this a good enough idea that you would make the effort to come to such a conference? Let me know.
I mean, there doesn't seem to be much reason to keep accepting the status quo, from my way of thinking.
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