69 yrs. Ago, I was born in Hartford, CT. With severe bilateral clubfeet that were turned completely inward. My treatment started with casting at 3 mos., quickly moved to surgical repair 12 time and the use of a T bar brace at night, massaging, adapted shoes with steel bars inserted and physical therapy several times as I learned to walk over and over after surgeries. My heel cords were lengthened three times. Surgeries ended at age 12 and chech-ups at age 14. At that time, I was allowed to wear regular shows and slippers for the first time.
My orthopedic surgeon enabled me to pass developmental milestones at appropriate times and ultimately, to walk normally. I was very naive and took his comment at face value, I was corrected by corrective surgery.
I was never raised to feel different, as having a defect or deformity. I was like everyone else. None of my playmates or classmates teased me or asked questions. They were too polite to do so.
It was not until my first interview for a position as a speech-language pathologist at an Easter Seal Rehab. center with a physical therapist director that he asked if I could do the job. Perhaps, he wondered if I could drive from site to site, to public and parochial schools, nursing homes, a hospital and the center. I was shocked and hurt. I told him of course I could. I did for 2 yrs. Before I went to work for a regional school system I had serviced part-time during the first 2 yrs. I spent 35 yrs. there before retiring.
During my last 15-20 yrs. Of work, students and adults (anywhere, in church, a grocery store) asked about my shoes made from molds of my feet, my height (originally a normal 4'10 1/2", reduced by vertebral fractures, rheum. arthritis, osteoporosis and adult scoliosis). I continued to be surprised and at a loss for good, quick come-backs. They seemed to lack the manners I was used to. Even one of my several specialist MDs referred to my many medical issues as defects and deformities. Side effects from rotator cuff surgery and rheum. arthritis are NOT deformities. He, of all people, should have known that.
KayJo