Seeking Outreach - What to Do When You Aren't Sure What There Is To Do

Clubbies come in all shapes and sizes. They also come from different circumstances, just like everybody else. Different cultural, socio-economic, self-identified groups. Not to mention different countries. So much of what shapes each of our success and experiences with post-club feet is essentially already in place upon our arrival on this small blue orb. Our family's circumstances, support or lack thereof from the culture around us, social biases, the innate cruelty of many children toward anything "different," all go into shaping our own self-perceptions and therefor impact us for much of our lives, for better, and often, for worse.

Then there is the long-term psychological impact of living with chronic pain, of seeing your feet as prisons, impositions, roadblocks, etc. These are real issues, they can impact us in many ways, some quite predictable, some not so much. Physical pain always has a psychological impact when that pain is chronic, and the longer one's search for solutions go without answer, the greater that impact will be. When soldiers came back from WW II with psychological problems, they were told to "be a man" get over it, don't be a malingerer. Vietnam only barely opened the door to a different understanding, soon to be called PTSD - post traumatic stress disorder. Today's returning soldiers are better diagnosed, better treated, and more accepted by society around them.

Many clubbies also suffer from a form of PTSD, especially those who suffered at the hands of other kids for their "difference." Yes, this was not confined to clubbies - any kid who differed from the perceived "norm" often found the same reaction. But I am focused here on clubbies, because that's what I am, and can only justify my experiences around that central truth. While few have the extent of PTSD that war can cause, it's there, nonetheless. And there are things that can help cope with the effects, help develop understanding and self-acceptance, help put our pain in perspective. We need to acknowledge that pain affects us at all levels, not just physically.

Finding a psychologist or other type of counselor can seem frustrating, but is worth the effort. I tend to suspect those who want to medicate me right off the bat - I want the person to show me they can get in synch with my experiences, my issues, before they start suggesting drugs. Even if there is evidence of depression (now, wouldn't that be a surprise?), I want them to show some fundamental understanding and compassion for the forces that shaped me thus far. And its important to realize there is no shame in seeking help - it takes the strength to admit one needs help if that help is going to work.

The issue many of us clubbies face is the sense of isolation, that we seldom if ever meet another like ourselves. Forums, discussion groups, blogs like this one are slowly changing that isolation into something we can deal with, but the long-term effects of our disability is no simple thing, easy to shrug off. Its there, its real, and its impact can range from minimal to profound. We have already shown we are capable of shouldering the burden of chronic pain. We should also be able to shoulder the opportunity to make some changes in what continues to shape us.

A Reminder:

The Comments problem is persisting, so remember you will need to probably send it twice - the first time it will send without asking for Word Verification, and then it will bounce back to make you enter the word, so don't just close the window after entering any Comments. Wait a few moments to see what comes back, then you can respond appropriately. This appears to be a Blogger-wide issue right now, and hopefully (are you guys listening up there?) they will have it fixed soon.

Thanks for your input, and for your patience!