There are many questions that people ask me while I am out and about. I would rather have people ask me questions instead of staring or looking up my skirt (yes, that happens). The majority of people think about their questions before they ask. The majority of people are thoughtful when they share their comments about my disability.
Common questions are: How did you lose your leg?Did you try a fake leg before? You must be in pain.Do you drive? How did you have kids?
Then there are other questions and statements: Did you go to school? Your husband must have taken pity on you. Can you dance? My child has the right to stare at you.
Then there are questions that makes me think a lot. The question about my shoe is a welcome change. The questions are: What do you do with your other shoe? Do you get 50% off when you buy one shoe? Do you get 50% off when you get a pedicure?
Usually, I do not get a discount off of shoes or a pedicure. I do have to buy both shoes. If I don’t buy the other shoe, the store cuts the poor shoe in half and throws the other shoe away. Sometimes I come across a kind manager or a salon owner that offers me a discount.
For years I would throw away my left shoe, then a wonderful woman from my church said that she has a relative who was missing a right leg and may be the same shoe size as me. The divine happened, and we found that we are the same size. Two to three times a year we swap shoes.
In my lifetime, I wish I counted my shoes. I believe I have averaged 5- 6 shoes a year. I would have amassed. 250 left shoes. I wish I kept them too then I would have found another girl or a woman who was missing a right leg or foot that was the same size.
Now I wish to help another girl who is missing a limb and wants to go to college. I will start a foundation later this year. I will keep you updated.
Photo by Aditya Romansa on Unsplash
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