Those who know me well, know about my legs and feet. It’s not a big deal, but an annoyance I’ve lived with my whole life. My left leg is one-and-a-quarter inches shorter than my right one. My left foot is two sizes smaller than my right foot.
When I was a kid, my parents bought me shoes to fit the larger foot and we stuffed tissues into the toe of the left shoe. At some point in my adult life, Andy suggested that I buy two pairs of cheap shoes and toss the odd ones. The leg length was not significant enough to bother me. . . until I turned 50. I started getting bad knee and back pains. The physical therapist recommended getting a shoe lift. The orthopedic surgeon didn’t think it was a good idea. I went for it anyway.
One-and-a-quarter inches doesn’t sound like much but, I felt like a kid walking down the street with one foot on the curb and the other in the gutter. Was I ever clumsy! Every muscle in my body hurt for a month or two until I adjusted. Then, I LOVED being level!
I started buying shoes at Nordstrom because they will sell me two different sized shoes at no extra charge. I’ve read that the founder’s wife had mismatched feet and that is why they do it.
I’ve never been a big shoe freak. I liked to have a wardrobe of shoes to match my outfits. That was enough. The shoe lift, though, put an end to my fashion sense. I bought a pair of New Balance walking shoes, model 812. They had a flat sole, easier for the shoe man to add a lift. I’ve been wearing the same shoe ever since. I retired, so the sneakers were fine with my normal wardrobe of shorts or jeans. I got a black pair of sneakers to go with black dress pants or a long black skirt. Those are for special occasions when I dress up just a little.
It’s been fifteen years and I am sick of plain white sneakers that go with most things I wear. I want color! I want something to wear with a dress! So, a few weeks ago I got on line and found some on the Nordstrom web site and ordered four pairs. (Actually eight pairs, four for the right foot and four for the left foot.) They don’t charge for shipping, they even pay for return shipping for the odd shoes.
I took the left shoes to the shoe shop for the lift and shipped back the unwanted shoes. Today, I got my left shoes from the shop. I was so excited! I put them on, walked back and forth in the motorhome, and then took pictures of my feet with new shoes.
This is what I’ve been wearing day in and day out for fifteen years. And, this is the best pair.
I still needed some white sneakers, but this time, I got a pair of retro Addidas with black stripes on the sides. Racy! I love that shiny label on the tongue when I look down at my shoes.
See what a difference an inch-and-a-quarter makes? That lift will not stay nice and white to match the shoe. They always turn darker.
Oh, look at my happy feet! Actually, they are not as cushy and the New Balance walking shoe.
Another pair of sneakers in living color! I should have taken a movie so you could see me wiggling them back and forth.
They have a patent leather tongue and panel on the back. Snazzy! They are so comfortable too.
Jennifer laughed when she saw this pair of “dress” shoes. She said they are “so you“. I think they look like old woman shoes except for the ribbon laces. I might have to change those. They look like 1890s shoes to me.
The platform on the left shoe makes them look a lot different.
Do these shoes make my ankles look fat? Yes, they do. The left one was a bit snug, but I didn’t return it because I’m expecting the leather to stretch.
Here are my favorites. I plan to wear these with a sundress or any skirt or skort or shorts I can match them with. They are a far cry from plain white sneakers.
Wow! I’m going to wear shoes without socks.
I’ve never bought so many shoes at the same time. It was pent up foot frustration that made me do it. I probably won’t buy any more for a long time.
Dinata Misovec 
Good for you for treating yourself! I had a childhood friend who had a similar condition but hers was 6″ so they stopped her growth in her one leg about 5th/6th grade so the other would catch up some.
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That’s interesting. I wonder how they did it. When I was in my forties, a doctor at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore wanted to stretch my short leg. saw it in two, bolt a metal bracket on the outside of the leg and into the two bone parts, and widen the gap as the bone knits itself back together. It is a technique developed in Russia. I opted not to do that!
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It sounds similar to what they did to her at the growth plate. Not the metal bracket part though. The had a metal rod inserted.
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ooooo. spiffy looking shoes.
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Yeah, I’m a foot fashionista now!
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Nice shoes very snazzy😃😃😃
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and by extension, I’m snazzy now too!
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😃😃😃😃👠👠👠👠
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Jennifer and George and magnificent grandsons stopped by today. We all went to the Cornell dairy and food tech lunch room and ice cream parlor. I took pictures, which I will download and send later.
Neil M. Jordan
Mobile 714-270-8422
mailto:neiljordan@cox.net
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Yes, post pictures please. Jennifer and George have not posted any.
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Snazzy! And there I was thinking I have problems! Very nice indeed. I wish yiu many miles of comfortable walking/dancing. 🙂
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Thank you.
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Love them!
Shar
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me too. every pair.
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Wahoo!!!!! And remember, if you want to dress up your plain white ones, turning the grandsons loose with brightly colored Sharpie markers would do it for you – and no one else would have anything like them!
From: Dinata Misovec To: gorton_beth@yahoo.com Sent: Friday, August 5, 2016 9:35 PM Subject: [New post] NEW SHOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #yiv6455626389 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv6455626389 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv6455626389 a.yiv6455626389primaryactionlink:link, #yiv6455626389 a.yiv6455626389primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv6455626389 a.yiv6455626389primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv6455626389 a.yiv6455626389primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv6455626389 WordPress.com | Dinata Misovec posted: “Those who know me well, know about my legs and feet. It’s not a big deal, but an annoyance I’ve lived with my whole life. My left leg is one-and-a-quarter inches shorter than my right one. My left foot is two sizes smaller than my right foot.When I” | |
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You know, I was thinking of decorating and old pair of shoes with some Sharpies or maybe some glitter.
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Good for you you deserve the treat! 😄
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It was more like a splurge to buy so many shoes at once. That’s a bigger treat!
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We you deserve a splurge then!!
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LOVE,LOVE,LOVE the colorful pairs!!!! I know you’ll wear them with a smile !
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I’m smiling just knowing I have them!
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My husband also has a leg that’s shorter – result of an automobile accident 35 years ago when the metal rods they had to put in his leg didn’t come in lengths for a 6’3″ guy. His favorite shoes are white Keds although he has a black pair for dressing up. He has a lift inside one heel and then the sole is also built up on that shoe. Like you, we spend most of our time in jeans. I was thrilled to see all the choices you now have. What is the brand of the last pair or hit-it-out-of-the-park sandals. Those just made me smile.
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Here is the link for those sandals.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/alegria-pesca-slip-on/3394160?cm_mmc=email_tran-_-071616-_-order_confirm-_-proddescr6
Nordstrom always has a lot of wild shoes on display in the stores. I always made me sad to walk past them and pick out the plain white sneakers. It’s nice to know I can get some happy shoes now. I have been seeing women wearing similar shoes for a year or two now. My daughter has a colorful pair of Mary Janes. I guess more and more companies are starting to offer colorful comfortable shoes.
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Love the coloured sandals. Must be amazing walking level after all this time. Wonderful story 🙂
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It was amazing. Having been crooked since birth, I didn’t know any better. I had no idea how wonderful it would feel to be “on the level”. It was as much psychological as it was physical.
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Good for you, Dinata! Love your new shoes, especially the sandals and the “puzzle pieces” sneakers. Enjoy!
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Thanks Carol, I am definitely having fun. Wore the puzzle shoes yesterday and they are very comfortable.
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Wow!
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My son is a runner and one foot is a size smaller so it is hard to get good fitting shoes.
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Ha ha! I love the butterfly on the sole of the sandal! Enjoy them! I got a drop foot due to Lyme disease, and for a long time I could only wear cowboy boots, otherwise I’d stub my toe and fall flat on my face ( which happened quite a few times, btw!) I had to wear them with everything, I almost decided to move to Texas!! A bit of a change always lifts the spirits. Xxx
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I feel your pain. I have always been very clumsy and tripped over my own two feet, fallen down steps, you name it. Maybe I’ll have to try cowboy boots next. I’ve always wanted some!
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Happy, snazzy feet! Your foot joy shines out. X
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Thank you. It is such a kick to get something different.
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wait…I have to tell ya….I haven’t even read your whole shoe email…but yesterday when I briefly looked at it, I was tickled to death–you made my day! what a riot!
Sent from my iPad
>
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Well, I’m glad you enjoyed it! My feet are happy to be wearing something different.
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Cool shoes, Dinata! I really really like the Adidas! I had some of those a few years back.
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That must mean I’m cool too! It is fun to wear something colorful for a change.
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I love all those bright new shoes, and hope you get great pleasure out of wearing them. I didn’t know about your limp, but those raised platforms look a great idea.
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The shoe lifts have made a huge difference. I don’t think very many people notice the lift or anything unusual about my gait. I love the colors!
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Yes you are cool! Come to think of it, I also like the last pair of shoes too! 🙂
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They look fabulous, happy outings !
Brooke
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Thank you! I am really enjoying wearing something besides white sneakers.
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Loved all the shoes you purchased, however the sandals are my favorite. Happy you have so many choices now. Enjoy the freedom. :o)
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Those are my favorite too. It may be silly, but I was so excited to get something besides plain white sneakers after all these years.
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It was like Christmas for me to get those shoes and I love wearing them. I even got some colorful socks to go with them.
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I’ll be honest and confess that I’ve never thought anyone had one leg shorter than their other leg. You have given me another insight into your life, Patricia. May you walk many more happy miles in whatever colour or style shoes of your choice.
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I have occasionally seen a person on the street with one leg significantly shorter than the other. Since my difference is not so much, I don’t think about it much either. I am so happy with my new shoes that I admire them all day.
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You are rocking those shoes:) Yay…I’m so happy for you.
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Thanks, and Yes! They are so cool. And, I’ve bought some brightly colored socks to wear with them. My feet are happy every day.
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Thanks for sharing this interesting article, I am glad that despite everything you are healthy. That is the best part of life at the ripe age.
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Yes, we do tend to think about our health more when we get older and are more prone to lose it, don’t we?
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I LOVE your snappy shoes Dinata! While my problem (neuropathy) isn’t as challenging as yours, I do know how important it is to have comfy shoes, and if they’re good looking, all the better!💁🏻
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It’s true. I find myself looking at my feet and smiling all day.
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