Brachymetatarsia

[livingwith]

Hi,
I am a 49 year old African American female that has struggled with my toe mystery for many years. I do not remember my toes being different until maybe fourth grade. I worn open toed shoes and flip flops and other popular open toed shoes in grammar school like the other children. I notice the change around 11 and that when this kid named Scottie called me “turtle toes”. I cried and cried and the asked my great-grandmotner why my feet looked different. She gave this old wive...Read the full article

[sundari]

Hi! I am a 31yr. old mulatto female with this same condition affecting my left foot only, fourth toe. I noticed the difference around the age of 8yrs. old. I look at old pics of myself as a young child and my feet were "normal". I have been searching for answers since my teenage years. I am the only one in my family (immediate and otherwise) afflected by this deformity. I only learned that it had a name a couple of months ago while searching the internet for answers!!! I have only seen two other people in my life living with Brach. The first time was when I was 15yrs. old. My high school sweetheart and I were at an icecream shop and an African American man was there with flip-flops on. I couldn't believe my eyes, actually for a second there I thought my mom had some secrets of her own!LOL. I was so proud of him for having the courage to were flip-flops in public, however, at 15 I did not have the nerve to approach him. My entire life thereafter, I regretted never saying anything to that man. Last year in June, I was given my opportunity again!! I was attending a training seminar through my job. The class consisted of about 15 students, there was only one other African American woman besides myself. We went outside for break and she struck up conversation with me. I just happened to look down and I noticed her toe was just like mine!!! I was hesistant to say anything because I could tell she specifically chose those sandals because they disguised her feet, however, I stopped her midway through her sentence and apologized for interupting--but I told her I have the same toe!!! She was embarrassed because I noticed but once I assured her that we are one in the same she seemed at ease. I had never been so relieved in my life--for so long I have felt like I was the only person in the world with a toe like this. I have become very creative in hiding my toe--only a couple of my closest friends have seen it and many of them have no idea about it. It has caused me to suffer from low self-esteem for most of my life. People tend to be drawn to me and they feel connected because I am so easy to talk to, however, I never allow a person to get to close for fear of rejection over this silly toe. Recently, I allowed the man in my life to paint my toes!!!! It was monumental moment for me, however, I am still uncomfortable because I feel like I present myself as the lady that lives within me, all because of this toe!!!
Thanks for sharing your story! It feels good to know I'm not alone.

[klaurece]

Hey to everyone
I have a post on here about always keeping my socks on. And i'm more than happy now to see so many replys and comments. Now you say that you know of a doctor wow, im more then interested in what he can do. I also make that 4 toe print and when I'm on the beach i bury my feet in the sand. I resently bought a long summer dress and a pair of flip flops, now i actaully wore to flip flops out just to dare myself and even thought the dress covered my toes i found myself just checking on them.lol
so needless to say i just wear them around the house now. i recently had an experience i went to visit my grandmother and it was so hot i took my shoes off and walked pass her at 81 yrs old she spotted the toe and asked me where did i get that short toe from cuz no one on her side has toes like this. And its crazy cuz my best friend thinks its the cutest thing, I love her. ok now what was i to say both sides of the family blame the other side and im the only one with it. Well anyway to all keep coming with your stories because I feel that we all need each other to feel a slight bit more comfortable with this.

[roxymount]

It like you lived my life. It's really funny how exact all of our stories are and are concerns too. This Dr. Lee sounds interesting, what is this revolutionary surgery you are talking about? I want more information. The more I read the more I realize that it's all about the Doctor performing the surgery, when i read good stories i feel like i want to run out and get it down right away but i also ready alot of bad things that come from the surgery and don't know if i ever want to get it done. I guess i am still up in the air about it. When i am around friends and family i don't care because i know they don't care, it's the public that i'm afraid of. Sad that we all allow this idea of perfect screw with us, i mean when you really think about it, why does this insignificant thing cause so much concern. But it does, i think the surgery does alot for people mental health, I mean when i was growning up my brother used to call me stubs, sad i know. He doesn't anymore, but it still made me feel like crap. Anyhow, please give some information on this Dr. Lee.

Thanks a Bunch...