King's Daughter's Kitchen

I walk much better since I received my new AFOs. These are ankle foot orthotics, braces for my cerebral palsy. I was so excited to get them and thought they would look like the heavy metal and leather strap do ups I had as a kid. Without them, I walk on the insteps of my feet and do not stand straight. I cannot balance well and have lived in pain from misalignment for most of my life. My last braces were ill-fitted, made blisters on my feet and legs, and made clicking noises when I walked.

The specialist casted my legs and feet to make a mold to fit only me. He asked me, “What color do you want?” I figured he’d say they had flesh tones, black, and white. Then, he said, “and pink, purple, and blue.”

I answered, “oh, wow, pink.” My favorite color. This was one of the first out-of-the-box choices I made for myself. Since then, I also have chosen pink hearing aids.

I cannot run in my braces. They weigh about a pound and a half each. I can walk straight and tall and stand firm and steady. I go more places because I am not afraid of getting tired. I also don’t have to say “wait up” as often. I am grateful for the choice of pink because it feels like part of me, not just like tools I carry stuck on to me. I walk freely and forget that they are there.