When I was first fitted for my AFO, It was so nice to be able to walk with a barely detectable limp. This came with a price I was very willing to pay, actually already paying, my shoe options were limited.
Anyone out there just getting an AFO, I did learn that New Balance and Sketchers tennis shoes worked best for me. The shoe needs to be wide enough for the brace, especially at toes and deep enough at the heel. I don't know if these shoes will be best for everyone. I had a solid fixed AFO. I where a regular 7 shoe size and I have a
narrow heel. To the right is a picture of my AFO in my Sketchers.Now I figured I would be getting my drop foot all fixed up, and this was all temporary. It turned out to be the first of three adaptions to keep me walking. (to follow was adding a cane, then rollator.) so I was pretty disappointed to learn this was permanent. Then, what about my beloved shoes? My choices became steel toed construction boots or tennis shoes that took a lot of trying on to find at first. I'll take the tennis shoe, thank you.
When I recently lost the ability to walk I remembered reading online a while back that the best thing about being in the chair is you can wear the shoes want. How exciting! I want to go try on shoes now. I will be hitting up thrift stores on Saturdays with my Mom, and I've been looking at amazing online deals for fun.
I've always been a thrifty shopper, but I do love to shop. If I'm not at a thrift shop, I'm a TJ maxx, Marshalls person usually. I love to shop online too. Now that I can't just hop in the car and go to these place I have a lot of fun shopping online. Budget is real tight right now, so there are no big shopping sprees, but I've always enjoyed real window shopping too. It's just as fun on line to me.
I still have pretty good use of my hands overall, especially my left, but they've gone enough to make putting my contacts in pretty difficult. It's been so long since I tried, I'm not positive I still can. It would definitely be a time consuming chore.
My youngest son, Tyler, was due for glasses not long before my diagnosis. He bought some from an online eyeglasses store, Warby Parker, while visiting home. It's pretty neat because you can look through their collection and chose up to 5 pair you like and they'll ship you the frames with Plano lenses to keep up to five days and then return in the box they send. Free shipping both ways. He chose the Langstons. I really needed a pair of glasses so I bought the women's version of his Langstons. These glasses were just under $100.00. The least expensive pair of glasses I had ever bought. The only downfall is for us aging people needing a little help reading is they don't offer progressive lenses. Now $100.00 seems expensive.
My newest guilty pleasure is buying glasses online at goggles4u.com, they
usually have great deals, especially on their home brands. I have bought glasses from there for about $10.00. That includes shipping, and I have a strong prescription. That doesn't include progressives, but they do offer them. I love spending the $10.00 and trying all different styles and colors. I tend to like them on the wide side for my face. There are several online glasses stores that have $6.95 and up. zennioptical.com is another one worthy of checking out. Just be sure to have your pupillary distance correct. If you already know your prescription and don't need an eye exam, Walmart optical is good about measuring it for you on the spot if not busy. That was our experience.Above is a small collection of my inexpensive glasses.
That's 3 ways you can turn a loss into something new. They're fun even if you didn't lose anything.
1.Newly in a wheelchair and no longer need an AFO? Now you can wear any shoes you like, plus they stay clean and won't get worn from walking. Find a nice buy, sell and trade shoe store and you'll get top dollar for your shoes when you take them back in great shape!
2. Have you lost the ability to drive but love to go shopping, or just browse? Get on that computer and shop or browse your heart away!
3. Are you a contact lens wearer and need to change to glasses? No matter your budget, shop away online!
I hope any of this information is helpful to someone.
Until next time, take care,
April
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