Hi my names Jo, I’m a married Mum of two grown up boys and for those of you that don’t know my story I woke up one day in February 2003 numb down my right hand side. After spending 2 weeks in hospital and having lots of tests done I was sent home with the label ‘undiagnosed neurological disorder’.
Over the next 10 years my symptoms seemed to get worse on a daily basis. Headaches, tremors, contracture of my hand and pain .. pain like I had never felt before!
I had been told that I had dystonia which had caused the contracture in my hand and then had done the same to my foot but still had no clinical diagnosis for what was causing everything.
We were now 10 years down the line and the pain was SO bad. We had tried everything from Nerve Blocks to Ketamine Infusions.
One day I opened a letter from my Neurologist & reading through it he mentioned the fact that I had CRPS … What the??? No one had told me this, what was CRPS?
So it turns out that after 10 years of no diagnosis I had a label at last.
COMPLEX REGIONAL PAIN SYNDROME
I didn’t ask for this in my life, I don’t know why or how I got it but tough I’ve got to live with it.
Once I had the diagnosis I was able to do some research into what has helped people before me and there were 2 specific things, spinal cord stimulation and rehabilitation at a specialist hospital in Bath.
In October 2017 I had the Spinal Cord Stimulator inserted and in 2018 I had three 2 week stays in Bath where we had workshops on things like relaxation, painkillers, sleep, pacing and psychology.
At the beginning of 2017 I had got the stage where I could no longer wear anything on my foot because the pain was so bad that I couldn’t bear anything to touch it (alloydnia), so with this and the dystonia I was down to only wearing one shoe.
It dawned on me one day that surely I couldn’t be the only person wearing one shoe and that someone might want the pile of odd shoes that was slowly building up in the bottom of my wardrobe.
JO’S ODD SHOES
I took the bull by the horns and set up a Facebook group inviting a few CRPS sufferers that I had come across in the same situation as me and thought we could swap shoes with someone the same size as us. Unbelievably the group just took straight off, thanks to media coverage and of course social media. We were then being offered shoes by shoe shops and distributors, to give to the members. So instead of a swap group it was more of a donation group.
I was getting thanks come through from people who had only had 1 or 2 shoes because they couldn’t afford to buy a pair only to throw one away. We don’t charge for the shoes so as long as they pay postage and packaging they can get up to four new shoes in a parcel.
The group had got so big now and I had so many shoes, at one stage timberland sent me 32 massive bag fulls, that I decided I needed help. A couple of willing members came along to help me with the admin side of things and they also store shoes at their houses. We have shoes being distributed from Kent, Devon and Gloucestershire & they are being sent from Ireland to Scotland and of course all over England.
The group has given me a real boost and when people say “what you do is amazing” the answer is simple “I do it because I love it”.
STIG
Although my mental health was fantastic because of the shoes my physical heath was still deteriorating and I had been considerating amputation for a long time. I finally found a surgeon who was prepared to do the operation for me in June 18, she understood that I knew the pain wasn’t going to go away but the alloydnia and dystonia would.
On 6 November 2018 ‘Stig The Stump’ was born and I can quite happily say I’ve not looked back. Is my pain better? No its probably worse. Is my mobility better? No it’s definitely worse. How do I feel? ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC, I’m not frightened of people coming near my leg anymore, I got into bed for the first time in a couple of years, I had a pain free shower and the list goes on ….
Find Jo’s Odd Shoes https://www.facebook.com/groups/OddShoesJo/
hi I have been a amputee for over 16 years or more I had thought about the one shoe left over but did think were I could store them,im really happy someone has made it so
I’m a right leg amputee seeking a couple of odd left shoes. I joined the group but cannot access the pages showing the shoes on offer. Can someone explain- in simple terms, how I go about it.
Hey harold I will tag you int he group and get Jo to explain 🙂
thank you very much
Can I send you my used shoes? You inspire me.
Hi,
I was erroneously sent two right boots recently by Rocket Dog. When I explained the mistake they said they would send me a correct pair and I should dispose of the others. This felt wasteful, so I did a quick Google search for charities/organisations who might need single shoes, and came across you.
Are you still interested in donations, and if so, how should I get them to you?
Many thanks
Jenny
Hi, I’m only asking where to donate shoes? Not to join as such.
It seems a shame to bin them when only one has been trashed!
Regards
Bev Hargraves
Uk
Hi. We have an army surplus business in kings lynn Norfolk. We have a lot of single part used/new boots. Do you know anywhere we can donate to. Just didn’t want to throw them away. Thanks nicola
We have 2 bin bags full of brand new single shoes and trainers size 5, left foot. Would you be interested in taking them or know someone who would?
Hello, my husband ordered me a pair of Size 4 ladies Ugg boots and a pair came back but for the same foot. They are brand new so would like to donate them…please let me know if this is possible. Many thanks
We have about forty new odd children shoes from walking to two (our son has club foot). Would these be of interest to you?
Do you take donations of ladies single shoes?
Where would they need to be sent to?
We are based in London
I have a collection of ladies shoes in odd sizes, 7 and 8. Some lightly worn and some brand new. I would like to donate them to your charity. Where can I send them to?
Thanks
Hi, my husband has a load of single sample shoes to donate to a charity would you be interested? Need to collect or send a courier. North east england
Hey, I have a new fit flop and a next slipper that have only been worn a few times. Unfortunately a fox decided to creep in to my bedroom one evening and steal one of each. Your charity is just what I was looking for to put them to good use. Please let me know where to send them
Hi there I recently bought a pair of beautiful sketchers and they came as two right feet can I have an address to send them to as I cannot sent them back
Hello, I have two left foot genuine Ugg boots. Happy to donate them if someone can make use of them. How can I get them to you?
I have a collection of brand new size 8-10 insoles (to raise the instep) for right feet – as you see I generally need to adjust my left foot, having one leg slightly longer than the other. If anyone would find these useful, please me know.
Hi, my husband ordered a pair of shoes online and they came as 2 right foot. They are Adidas mens uk12 and 12 1/2. Do you have an address I can send them to please? I would really like to donate them.
Is there a place we can send( donate) shoes?
Hi before my partner died she asked me to donate her shoe collection to you. Desert boots and other lace up boots. I could maybe bring them to.Kent if they are useful?
I have a 16 year old foster child who is a Paralympic runner she has two different sized feet a 4 and a 7 she has quite a lot of odd shoes including spikes and long jump and discus shoes
I am happy to post them off I am in Harlow Essex
Hi there,
I have come across your page as I have an odd shoe that I would like to donate. Unfortunately, its partner got dropped into our recycle bin. It’s a Barbour boot. Size 4. Please let me know if you are accepting and I will send it to you.
There is a group called Jo’S Odd Shoes on facebook who is able to accept these shoes.
Hi, I have 2 brand new right foot ladies ankle boots (size 5 and 6) but have been told to throw away by the suppliers. Do you want them?
Where do I send them?
If you get in touch with Jo’s Odd Shoes they can tell you if they need them