Thursday, June 03, 2010

The Story Of Ian's Lucky Foot

One year ago I didn't believe it was going to be possible. He refused to balance his weight on it. He always invented a way around using it. He found some other way to support his entire body's weight. He'd rely upon his left foot, never his right.

When he was born we called it his lucky foot because clubbed foot sounded too ugly. It conjured a picture of a square, non-useable wooden thing. His foot was the same soft baby skin as the rest of his body. There was no square, monster like shape and there were definitely no splinters. As an infant we tucked it in a blanket and didn't think about it.

Well.

Until the weekly doctor visits, that began when he was two weeks old. The weekly casting to gradually move it in the right direction. The weekly unrolling of the endless layers of his cast. The five minute baths so we could get to the doctor's office, leaving his foot uncast for no more than a half hour each week.

And at three months,  I handed my tiny baby to a doctor and walked out of the room. The operation to cut his Achilles Tendon. The necessary step to loosen the hold it had on his entire foot. The cut that would release the curl it wanted to make. It was the longest ten minutes I have experienced.

Then more casting. From the casting we moved to the Dennis Brown Bar. A horrible contraption he was sentenced to wear at exactly the moment he learned to kick his legs up, sending the metal rod separating his feet, flying into his soft baby skull.

We endured the looks and the comments. "Who broke that poor baby's leg?" The nerve and ignorance of people still makes me knot up internally.

I just wanted my baby to be comfortable. And happy.

But he came into the world with a lucky foot.

For three years it defined much of our life. The frequent doctor visits. The worries. The brace following the bar. Hoping he could stand. Holding my breath for his first steps. Willing his toes to release the tight curl they met the world with. Knowing his right leg would always be smaller, less developed than his left. Watching for the regression they said would be possible. Buying shoes knowing one was too big, no matter what size we chose.

And then today. I witnessed it. Not only did he stand on it, he kicked. Twice. Without touching down. His entire 30 pound frame supported by one lucky foot.


And with that, the weight that has rested upon my chest was lifted. I snapped one shot from my lap without looking through the lens and knew I'd taken my photo of the day.

11 comments:

Heather said...

What a wonderful story of Ian & his lucky foot. I would say that Ian is also very lucky to have you two as his Mom & Dad. You must have been bursting when he balanced on his lucky foot at last! Well done Ian xx

Esther Andrews said...

That is such a great story! We worry about so many things as parents. I think we get duped into believing babies will be perfect, and then (shock, horror) they have defects!! It is SO wonderful that his foot troubles have been corrected so well!

*Paula* said...

What a wonderful story K. Good for Ian! I was born with a "lucky foot" also - I even had the Dennis Brown bar, but I don't even remember it at this stage.

kim {the non-mom blogger} said...

Oh, it's too early to cry! What a wonderful post, Katrina. THIS is why you always have your camera ;)

The Grounds Family said...

What a beautiful shot and story! They have come such a long way in treatment, but it is your positive thoughts and attitude that have also made a difference. I like the "Lucky Foot" terminology, it puts the negativity out of the picture (no pun intended) ;o) Can I use Ian's "Lucky Foot" terminology for when I have a patient with one.

Heather said...

Oh big {hugs!} and CHEERS for Ian! As someone who lives with muscles which fail me in some ways, it brings tears to my eyes to know that he has stopped finding ways around avoiding it and embraced his lucky foot. Way to go Ian! and oh how proud and happy you must be to have witnessed that moment. What a POTD to remember!

Kim said...

Well now I've gotten today's cry out of the way! Great shot - great piece.

mollie said...

Katrina . . . what a wonderful story . . . how uplifting it is! I love the terminology of the "lucky foot" . . . what a superlative word your found. :)
And, good for Ian . . . he had found the right time for his lucky foot to lift him up . . . and to lift his mama up too! Congrats to your karate champ!!!

Anonymous said...

oh this story and your photo... and that weight lifted. how beautiful! thank you so much for sharing.

Christi said...

This is one of the most amazing stories. Thank you for sharing the story and the photo.

hezro said...

this brought tears to my eyes!

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