TeamUP Community

Tokyo

It was when my left foot was getting numb that I realized something was wrong with me. By the time I went to the hospital my right foot was getting numb too. Doctors doubted Guillain-Barre syndrome initially, then having more troubles followed, diagnosed Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Though doctors explained my nerves of both feet had been completely dead, I could not connect it as I became unable to stand and walk because such things were beyond my imagination.... Stupidly it was quit after while when I realized I was unable to stand and walk. Fortunately that was quit after the initial shock from being diagnosed as a rare and difficult disease and there was helpers and physical therapists who had been encouraging me that I probably could walk out with crutches from the hospital. So quickly I made the project: let’s walk out with crutches from the hospital and live and work as much as I had been before! In this project, while I exercised rehabilitation program seriously, i discussed with the physical therapists what supportive device was the best for me. my feet were not just bad drop feet, as being no sense of pain or move by myself, I had high risk of sprain or any injury while attempting walking. Yet I did not like the idea of waring huge supportive devices outside which exhibit so obviously I am disable. I demanded the supportive devices which fit to a business outfit and shoes I put on before…. It sounded an impossible demand at first, but the physical therapist eventually came across the Allard AFO. There needed many paper work to get the government fund to actually get the Allard AFO So I made it walking away from the hospital with 2 simpler supportive devices and 2 Lofstrand crutches and started my new life without standing and walking ability, which was pretty creative every day for the first three months, then I eventually got the Allard AFO and this allowed me to go out much easier. Now with 2 Allard AFO and 2 Lofstrand crutches, I can almost keep up with other people, I can get on train, go to cafes, restaurants and shops , go to business meeting. Plus I can see walking help my foot nerves recovery and I can sense it because I keep my muscles by walking. If I used the wheelchair which doctors and even my family recommended, I would lost my muscles and unable to walk again even my foot nerves were recovered... So thanks to Allard AFO.

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Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA)