To Walk A Mile in Someone’s Shoes
Date: August 28, 2006

The assortment of wheelchairs, walkers and canes that fill the waiting area in The Treatment Clinics at Floyd Medical Center help tell at least part of the medical story of their users.

Many of the patients need assistance walking because of diabetes, which can turn common foot issues like corns and bunions into ulcers and infections that threaten amputation.

This is the result of two widespread complications of diabetes: the loss of sensation in the hands and feet and skin wounds that are slow to heal. These health issues bring as many as 150 patients per week to The Treatment Clinics.

Unfortunately quality nursing care is not enough for these patients. They also need properly fitted and designed footwear to complete their healing. These specially made shoes are expensive–$400 or more per pair, and the cost is not covered by many insurance companies.

“Our care is wonderful,” said Melody Mann, a former nurse in the Treatment Clinics and now with Coordinated Care, “but if you don’t solve what is causing the problem, you are getting nowhere fast.

It is not uncommon to see patients get nearly well only to have them relapse and return to the skin wound clinic wearing ill-fitting discount-store shoes that aggravate their feet, she said.

Melody and Nancy Gunther, clinical manager of The Treatment Clinics, decided to take action.

Using start-up funds from their own pockets, the pair began selling candles to help purchase shoes for the patients who could not afford them. They also secured a partner in Diprima’s Shoes, who agreed to provide some shoes to Floyd patients at cost.

That very first year, Nancy and Melody raised $1,270 and used the funds to purchase three pairs of shoes for patients. Diprima’s Shoes donated two additional pairs. The health care benefits were soon realized: Of the first five patients to receive shoes, two saw their foot wounds heal completely, and the others showed marked improvement.

Last year the pair, with the help of the rest of The Treatment Clinics staff, raised enough money to purchase shoes for 12 patients, and four of those patients had excellent success with their foot issues.

Those successes have spurred Melody and Nancy on. To date this year, they have raised $376 for their shoe fund, and they already are planning additional fund-raising events.

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