Sunday, March 1, 2009

My Right Foot (and My Left One Too)

Well, here goes nothing!

Welcome to "My Write Foot." This is going to be my forum to talk openly about life (in general) and my life with a disability (specifically). WARNING: I am going to be completely and brutally honest. Sometimes, I will say things that are contradictory. I am sure that I may reveal things that you don't know about me. My goal of this blog is to simply have a place where I can share my thoughts and feelings and maybe get to know myself better. Please feel free to comment as the spirit moves you.

I was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disorder (CMT) at the age of 3. CMT is a slowly progressive, nueromuscular disease that affects the peripheral muscles, especially the feet, legs and hands. For me, CMT affects primarily my feet and legs, causing foot drop, high arches, hammer toes and a unusual gait. Due to muscle deterioration and wasting, I have worn Ankle-Foot-Orthotics (AFO's or braces) on both legs for about 6 years. CMT is an inherited condition and does not have a "cure." In the past 10 years, genetic testing has becoming available for many types of CMT.

Because I was diagnosed at such a young age, I really don't really remember life without CMT. As a kid, I fell down a lot and always had scrapes and bruises on my knees and elbows. It didn't take much to make me fall either. I often say that an invisible crack can make me fall. Due to all the falls and foot deformities, I had more than my fair share of twisted and sprained ankles. In elementary school, I had surgeries to lower my arches, which improved my mobility greatly but still did not make me the most graceful creature on the planet. I fell then and I still fall now. The difference is that I have made an art form out of falling (or keeping myself from falling.) I can pull myself out of almost any near fall but I realize that it is a sight to see. More often than not, I am a windmill of arms and legs going in all directions. After I have come to a stop (either achieving some sort of balance or ending up in a pile on the ground), I always throw my arms up in the air and yell "Tah-Dah!!!" If my disability has taught me nothing else, I have learned that I must be able to laugh at myself. Otherwise, all I could do is cry and whine about my body that does do what I want it to.

Well, I have so much to say, but I think I will end for now. I certainly don't want to use up all the stuff in my head for the first entry!

Thank you for reading this far and God bless!

Devin

2 comments:

  1. Welcome to the world of Blogging. I'll get you the pictures of your pre-surgery pics to you soon.

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  2. She does all her own stunts, ladies and gentlemen!!!

    ReplyDelete