Post by maralila on Nov 17, 2021 18:59:25 GMT
Hello, I am a very recent addition to VB and not an experienced contributor to any discussion group.I am able to offer an insight into wearing a patten-ended caliper because I spent 4 years relying on one so that I could walk. My situation has never been particularly straight forward and still isn't but I was 7 in year 2007 and had been having considerable trouble walking. My left leg hurt from hip to knee and bearing weight was sheer agony. After numerous X Rays and much prodding, my Mother was told that there was a serious hip problem, the details of which I simply forget. After one particular hospital visit, I left the place with a full leg plaster cast and the knowledge that I would need to use crutches for quite some time. My parents encouraged me to go out and about as much as possible so that I could be confident with my crutches and using just my right leg. After 7 months like this and following many examinations, the cast came off for good and I was fitted into a Perthes caliper. I had been told to wear really tiny swim briefs for the appointment which seemed odd but I soon realised why when the new caliper was put on. I had two metal bars which extended from hip/groin to maybe 4 inches beyond my foot, ending with a metal plate underneath which had a rubber sole. A metal and leather ring encased my leg at groin level so now I saw why I needed the swim briefs so small as to fit above this ring. The outside metai bar extended up to my hip and joined onto a waist belt which had a lock for when I stood up. My leg was fitted quite snug in this caliper and it was never going to take any weight now at all. My foot was in a trainer supported between the two bars by a leather strap and buckle securing it a few inches above the patten and a strap connected to either side of the rigid bars so that my leg floated off the ground whilst all the weight was taken by the ischial ring at the groin. My other trainer had been fitted with a metal and rubber extension to raise it to the height of my new device. I kept my crutches at first until I felt happy managing the caliper and additional height. Once I felt confident that I could walk after a fashion, I managed to get about like this for 4 years. My leg was kept rigid and I soon realised that I was pretty unusual. There was no way to make my handicap less obvious so I had to cope. Trousers, shorts or vacations spent in just tee shirt and micro swim briefs, all did nothing to shield me from stares and questions but frankly I had no choice. A perthes caliper is a clunky device and not something I liked but I realised that I could not manage without it so I adjusted, became strong willed and found ways to do things everyday as a young crippled kid. Once I got organised, I could strap myself into this device in 5 minutes, stand up, check my waist lock was in place and set about the day. I wore it constantly apart from in bed at which time I had to change into a full length plastic splint from foot to hip which was held on by velcro straps at variou points along my leg. To use the bathroom at night I simply used my crutches and right leg just as before when I was heavily plastered. So, not surprisingly I had many hospital visits and 4 new perthes style calipers as I grew, I still have the last one. In the final analysis I have not gained too much from all of this but retain a sense of humour and realism. My left leg had been hosting a cancerous growth whist my right leg was joining in the fun and games. In the end I was trapped by circumstances which I could not change. Now I am a Blue Badge member and owner of a car with hand controls. Aged 18 and a bit, I am back on crutches for life. There is no left leg as I am a Hemipelvectomy. The leg had to go, simple as that. The nerves in my right leg have been cut off to make me more comfortable. Structually it looks ok but I wear a HKAFO all the time and swing myself along on my crutches with my one leg rigid. Not surprising that I am still of interest to many as I get from place to place. People may like my totally empty left side, my metal caliper slotted into the heel of my shoe, or watching an amputee who so clearly depends on a pair of crutches. I am a severely disabled teenager but for now I can stay away from needing the wheelchair. At least I have some working experience of the 60s style calipers and even in 2018, I am thankful that to have one is both essential and practical in order to give me independence and confidence. In the future I may meet some of the UK members and you will see the old style hardware still in use.
Presumably balquhind's current appearance is something like the attached picture. ;-)