Who knew that something so small could affect you so greatly. I am 18 years old and have come to the conclusion that I have the condition of Brachymetatarsia I have seen a specialist once before about this and the answers I received left me in tears. I started to notice my little toes when I was about 11 or 12 years old…accept for one thing… to me, it isn’t so little. It is the most noticeable thing on my body, especially since I have it on my fourth toe on BOTH feet. I am very self conscious about this issue and it affects me more than some without the problem can understand.

I will not wear flip flops in the summer because I am ashamed to show my feet. I feel like its the only thing people are looking at when my feet have the oppertunity to be exposed. I wore Chinese slippers for 3 summers in a row (and running shoes) since I worked at a day camp and didn’t want anyone seeing my feet; I would often go in the water WITH my socks on, giving the excuse that “I was hot and it would keep me cool during the day if my socks were damp in my shoes”. I wear socks 99% of the time when my family has people over and sometimes even bring them with me if I know I am going over someone’s house because I don’t want to show my feet.

I usually don’t have my toes painted and when I do its when I know I have a special occasion to go to; so my criss-cross sandals only expose my first 3 toes and hide my deformity. Going swimming is usually a run into the pool since I don’t want my feet seen, which has sometimes ended up in me taking a slip; since I tend to be very accident prone as well. I am not comfortable at the beach sometimes yet the sand tends to do a good job hiding my toes. I would never think of someone with a deformity as “abnormal, disgusting, ugly, different”, or any other negative comment that could define a physical trait of a person. However, most of those comments are what cross my mind when I see my feet while being brave enough to get a pedicure or thinking of going through a day in flip flops. I can honestly say I hate it. For the longest time all I felt was “abnormal”, and I still somewhat do. The only people that know about my feet are my parents of course, a couple close friends, and my boyfriend. I am very discrete about it. If its not the topic of a conversation, I don’t bring it up.

I now have my second appointment with a specialist to get another opinion in July, and of course, I find all of the information now. This “rare” disorder is not so rare at all. I couldn’t believe that there was THIS many people in the world like me, feeling the exact same way I was feeling. Trying to avoid the stares and obvious gossiping, the questioning, everything that comes with being somewhat “different.” I burst into tears reading some of yours stories, not only to feel sorry, but to finally know I wasn’t the only one!!! That there were people like me willing to share their struggles.

I am interested in hearing more about the surgery available at the upcoming appointment, even though im aware of being possibly let down. Im curious however, because, since there seem to be so many people that experience this, not only in Canada or the states, but in different parts of the world, why is it that very few doctors know about this condition?? I understand that the medical dictionary has hundreds of terms for possibly everything a person can experience, but if it is so common, why is it considered “rare” and more likely to show up in women than in men. Yes, I’ve done my research.

I would like to think that there is something I can do about my little toes, as well as everyone else struggling with this difficulty. I am fortunate right now where it does not cause any pain for me on a daily basis, yet in some stories I’ve read, it seems to cause pain later in life. Finding shoes is difficult, especially since the toes are raised, they sometimes don’t fit into shoes, which can be painful, yet pain is beauty isn’t it. I would love to hear feedback or even experiences with those who have gone through the surgeries.

I always dreamt of my wedding day being the day I would be able to dance barefoot on the dancefloor all night long and not have a care in the world about what my feet look like. Maybe there’s still some hope for me yet. I will have a fabulous day no matter what, but it would be the icing on the cake for me! Look forward to hearing feedback!