September 21 - Ten Toes

I don’t remember the last time that I was able to see my toes. They are just too far away from my eyes. Of course, this isn’t something that I think about very often. However, a little while back I was clipping my toe nails and managed to slice the one nail off centre. It hurt and I suppose that I’m lucky I didn’t do serious damage to the toe itself.

My efforts at giving myself a pedicure have recently been hampered by an injury to my knee. Not only am I unable to see my toes, but the knee injury prevented me from actually reaching down to my feet. Oh, the trials and tribulations! At my last appointment, I mentioned this frustration to my doctor.

One obvious solution was to pay $60 or whatever is the current cost of a beauty pedicure, but I have resisted this expense. I didn’t need the buffing and polishing of a beauty treatment. I just needed clipped nails. Fortunately, my doctor had another solution. Apparently, in special circumstances foot care is covered by the Alberta Health Care system.  My vision challenges and recent mobility issues met those guidelines and I qualified for this service.

I have now had my second appointment with Erika. She is great – competent and friendly. Not only that, the procedure only takes ten or fifteen minutes. I can’t believe that I let my frustration go on for so long when the solution was there in the health care system all along. Although I still can’t see my ten toes they are now getting the foot care they need.