WALK IN MY SHOES NHS PRESCRIBED FOOTWEAR CAMPAIGN

My name is Janette and I have been a Type 1 Diabetic for over 50 years.  I have always been sporty and active and enjoyed a full and busy career and life.

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Aged 55, I suffered a mid-foot Charcot joint deformity, suffering increasing amounts of swelling, pain and mobility restriction. Eventually, one year later, I was eventually correctly diagnosed and started to receive proper management through the Foot and Ankle Surgeon at Northern General Hospital in Sheffield,

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Because the damage to the structure of my foot had already irreparably taken place, I was then confined to wheelchairs to prevent my foot from distorting further. My foot and lower leg was encased in plaster for months on end, attending hospital every week for the foot to be checked and the plaster cast changed, until the active phase of Charcot had settled.

After many months, I was referred to the Northern General Mobility & Rehabilitation Centre, where the Orthotist took measurements and impressions of my feet and sent the details off to their contractor where they tried to make shoes for me. There followed a catalogue of issues, the first pair was rejected and had to be remade, the next pair had problems too, causing further medical problems.

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Eventually, some years later and having been almost wheelchair bound for months on end, the Orthotist finally suggested a bespoke shoe-maker might be a better alternative for me, and referred me to a specialist orthopaedic shoemaker, The Cordwainer, a regular supplier under sub-contract to Blatchford..

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The experience I have had with Philip Taylor and his select and dedicated team at The Cordwainer has been my saviour and rescued me from the jaws of disaster.  I can never thank him enough for that extra quality and extension of life he has given to me.

From my first visit in July 2016 to the present day, having the correct fitting shoes has given me my life back. I now don’t have to worry about my feet, or changes of contractors, any new shoes can be replicated exactly to my specification. As my foot changes, so do the shoes, and with minimum time wasted. And if I need running repairs, I visit the workshop and benefit from a while-u-wait service.

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There are many benefits to this arrangement:

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• No delays between orders and completion,

• Shorter waiting times for appointments.

• Fewer people involved at all stages of the process.

• No waiting for clinic appointments at the hospital.

• A full understanding of the problems from a shoemakers point of view.

• No expensive mistakes resulting from misunderstandings and lack of skills.

• Attractive footwear despite the shape of my feet.

• Regaining my mobility and wellbeing for the past ten years.

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Surely this service should be available as standard, just not for the lucky few.