A quick background just to understand why I had the leg operation 6 years ago in 2003. I was born with Cerebral Palsy. The type that I had involved one leg (indeed one side of my body) being shorter than the other, meaning lesser growth, mobility in that side, etc. In my case it was my left side.
I've often wondered whether people can tell with my walking being any "different". Anyway, part of the operation meant having tests at the Gait Lab. I'm a bit uncomfortable watching it to be fair but I have saved a couple of pictures just to remind myself (before and after). Just something to share:
Taken 22nd August, 2002.
I naturally stood like that, so you can just imagine what the walking was like!
Taken 11th February, 2004.
Medical Science can be pretty impressive!
So you can notice the difference, standing. But I still am very conscious of my walking and my old habit hasn't completely died - sometimes I do have to remind myself, to walk heel first. Still, things are a lot more comfortable now. You will also notice the bobbles stuck to me - these were so they could create computer generated images of me walking. Sadly I couldn't get hold of THAT data!
I remember before the operation looking forward to being able to wear "normal" shoes - rather than ones made specially with a heel build to compensate for the leg length discrepancy. Now I'm sick of having to buy shoes as often as I do!... even if they are so much better.
Moral of the story?: There's always something to moan about...
I remember before the operation looking forward to being able to wear "normal" shoes - rather than ones made specially with a heel build to compensate for the leg length discrepancy. Now I'm sick of having to buy shoes as often as I do!... even if they are so much better.
Moral of the story?: There's always something to moan about...
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Haven't seen these before Luke, but I must say it makes me realise how much has changed! It's really impressive and makes me (and surely you!) appreciate how grateful we must be for modern science! Not too long ago you'd be in some odd contraption instead!
ReplyDeleteI try and remind myself from time to time how lucky I am too. For instance, I wouldn't be able to wear contacts and remain so charmingly handsome if I lived 50 years ago. I'd be more like Mr Magoo... but mixed with Jaws, because I'd be wearing a giant head brace to hold my jaw together as well.