Both recognized types of diabetes are potentially incredibly challenging for those forced to live
with them, and it is no exaggeration to guess that nearly everyone who doesn't have diabetes knows
or has met someone who does. While the medical attention to the core conditions has improved
immensely over the years thanks to diabetes support groups, certain symptoms remain difficult to
address. Complications from diabetes foot problems are among the most insidious and, for far too
many, easily ignored, as evidenced by the alarming number of diabetic amputees living today.
For the average non-diabetic person, minor foot and ankle discomfort, or the development of
calluses, are fairly commonplace and accompany ordinary wear and tear or minor treatable injuries.
Even for people living with clubfeet, discomfort is often isolated and non-threatening. For the
diabetic patient, however, they are potentially critical signs of diabetes foot problems developing,
problems that can escalate quickly and severely if treatment isn't sought. Loss of circulation to
the feet can result in their healing slowly after injury, the development of clubfeet-like
conditions, numbness to the point of not noticing injuries at all, development of infections, and in
the most extreme cases, amputation of one or both feet.
With approximately 23.6 million
diabetics in the US today and an estimated 86,000 new diabetic amputees per year, it is no surprise
that attention to more difficult-to-spot symptoms is being drawn, and a variety of associations,
diabetes support groups, and other resources are there to help those in need. Like people with
clubfeet and polio survivors, diabetes patients have called for access to custom footwear, and
companies exist that produce everything from diabetic shoes to prosthetics for amputees.
OddShoeFinder.com, a free site specializing in odd shoes, is making it easier for people with
diabetes to find shoes that fit. This site is the connection between people with odd shoes with
those who need odd shoes. Odd shoe wearers can now list their pairs of odd shoes or a single shoe
for sale and search for other pairs of odd shoes or single shoe for sale in your own shoe size from
the comfort of their home.
