Thankful for…shoes?

What are you thankful for this year?

With the Thanksgiving Day holiday, it seems that everyone is talking about what they are thankful for. Most of the blog posts, status updates, and tweets I’ve read this weekend mention family, spending time with loved ones, having supportive friends, and having God in their lives. I have to admit that I’m thankful for those same things everyday too.  🙂

But there are so many other things that I am thankful for that many people take for granted…until it’s too late. I’m thankful for my health, for the ability to walk, for having two feet, for having warm clothes and shoes. As a foot specialist, I deal with these things everyday when treating my patients. I see many patients who are not healthy, who cannot walk and are bound to a wheelchair or a hospital bed, who have lost one or both feet due to diabetic complications, and who cannot afford socks and shoes. 

Just the other day, a diabetic patient was in my office wearing prescription diabetic shoes  (thankful for that) but no socks. She explained that she could not afford socks and that she does not like to burden her family for things like socks when they already do so much for her. Of course, I explained the importance of proper shoes AND socks to her. Her ankles were swollen, and she knew that she needed special socks to deal with the swelling and the diabetic condition of her feet. Since our office has been collecting shoes and socks for the needy and homeless in our community (as well as a “Got Spare Change?” Collection Can at our front desk), I was able to give her a free pair of these socks. 

So I am also thankful for generous donations from friends and family in the community that allow our office to give these things to those patients who truly need them. So a big ‘THANK YOU!” to those of you who have donated to our cause and who continue to donate!

Wikipedia says: “Until recent years, shoes were not worn by most of the world’s population—largely because they could not afford them. Only with the advent of mass production, making shoes available very cheaply, has shoe-wearing become predominant.”

Just look at what Blake Mycoskie, the founder of  TOMS Shoes, has done in four short years! They have given out over a million pairs of shoes to needy children all over the world. For every pair of shoes they sell, they donate one pair of shoes. That is something we can all be grateful for.

So in appreciation of TOMS Shoes, let’s take a look at a few of their styles:

TOMS Shoes for men, Classic Canvas in white $44.00 at Tobi

TOMS Shoes for men, Black Botas $79.00 at WS Surf Inc.

TOMS Shoes for women, Canvas Wedge in cranberry $69.00 at shoebizst

So yes, I am thankful for shoes! Who wouldn’t be, if you think about it?

—Dr. Michele, The Shoe Expert 

“All shoes, all the time!”

One last thing I’m thankful for: my new Cole Haan Air Avalon Tall Boots that I got for my birthday a few weeks ago! Thanks, babe! 🙂