Hunter gave me the title for this week’s entry; more importantly he gave me his shoes. I didn’t walk a mile in them, but I did walk the first thirty feet without my braces in two years.
Those of you who have followed my story since REHAB may remember the Cinderella moment when I was fitted for my custom braces and shoes and began to improve my mobility with them. My ankles are still out of my control, but my calves have loosened up enough to allow me to take cautious steps (with a therapist nearby) using just my sticks in a regular pair of shoes.
Anja and I tried it out this Friday after testing my feet in a pair of Jump Soles – a block strapped to the front of the foot to help athletes stretch their calves and improve their jumping. Hunter had brought the school’s pair along since he was driving me to therapy. My special shoes have stiff soles that don’t allow for the flexibility needed to maximize the calf stretch in the Jump Soles, so Hunter let me borrow his to test these out. I shifted my weight around as Anja instructed; then she told me to save some power in my legs to try something else. We took the Jump Soles off, and she stood behind me while worked to keep my balance. Once moderately secure, Anja gently moved my arms out and up to force me to readjust my balance.
When I sat down to take a break, she had me turn to face her and hold her arms for support as we took about fifteen awkward steps across the room. I sat down on a different stool beaming as she got me a glass of water. I stood and did some more balance exercises before she asked if I wanted to try walking with my sticks. I did a slow, cautious lap around the room with Anja right behind me. I’m always nervous about my unpredictable ankles, but they stayed calm as I lifted my leg enough to keep my toes from dragging before placing it just barely ahead of the other foot. I can’t make the normal heel to toe motion with my foot (yet), but there was an incredible feeling that went along with walking without my feet locked into position in braces.
Let me repeat for emphasis: This was the first time in two years I walked without my braces.
I was dazed afterwards – I can still hardly believe it happened. Praise the Lord. I’m amazed that the gifts keep coming, and I can’t wait to continue practicing this new development. I gave Hunter his shoes back since I have another pair I can practice with, but I look forward to getting up to a mile in my shoes without braces.
