Finally, My Custom-made Shoes!

I remember Show and Tell from my kindergarten days; how I loved to have something to share. Kelli from Kelli's House hosts this fun meme. Go to her place to join in the fun!



Feel the excitement in the air? I'm going shopping to buy custom-made leather shoes! I first posted about it here. That time, it didn't work out. This doesn't look like a shoe store, does it?


"Hanger," yep that's the name of the place where I'm supposed to go to get fitted for my custom-made shoes.


Hm, I don't see anything that I like; do you? They all look "yuk" to me. As it turns out, Gregory, the nice fellow who fitted me told me that those would not be my shoes. Gregory explained that those shoes are not custom.
(Whew! I was worried.)


Next, Gregory put both of my feet into plaster casts, just like a broken leg is put into a cast. When the casts were hardened, he cut them off with a saw. You can see how badly deformed my right foot is if you look at this cast on the left. (The right foot is on the left--confusing, I know. Sorry.) It seems to be leaning to the right. That's how I have stood ever since I was eleven, broke my ankle, and my parents decided it was only a sprain. I was not taken to a doctor, and it healed crooked--like the cast shows. Yes, my right ankle is that thick; it always looks swollen.


When I tore my achilles tendon and had to have emergency surgery, something went awry with the nerve, and my right big toe now sticks up like a little mountain. It will not straighten out. You can see it here by looking at the cast on the left (that is actually the right foot cast). You can also see how the ankle rolls over so that the toe is not on the floor when I stand or walk.


Here's a little closer shot of that deformed right toe, looking like a little bump, which I call a mountain toe. That mountain toe makes it impossible for me to wear normal shoes. Therefore, the need for custom.


Here's a picture of the nice shoe fitter, Gregory. He liked the idea that I'm a blogger, and he posed with the outline he made of my feet. I know, I know--there's Big. Yes, God never wanted me to fall down, so He gave me a good sized foundation.


Four weeks later, I got a phone call The shoes are here! The ones pictured above look better. I had no choice in style. My only choices were either beige or black color and either laces or velcro.


This shot looks a bit more normal, but I'll tell you the truth: they're ugly. I do not like them; who would? However, it's these or shoeboxes. I have nothing else! I've been wearing men's tennis shoes in a huge size, just to accommodate that mountain toe. No, they are not comfortable; I feel as if I'm tipping over when I walk. Furthermore, I must go back today for an adjustment as there are two pressure points (that means two places where my foot gets red when I wear the shoe).


Oh, the cost? Sure, I'll tell you. They cost $536.26. If you'd like a pair for yourself, I can send you the address. Gregory will be happy to assist you.


We're waaay too somber; it's time to smile. I must finish this post with a chuckle.