I dumped my AFO brace last week, and feel so much better at the moment for it. That thing was causing a lot of the problems that I'd been having, and not all of the problems were with my walking. My mood feels so much better now.

Actually feel like I can exercise/walk without it causing pain, and stress now. Hoping that my legs are getting stronger, or will get stronger soon.

When I dumped the brace, I'd found a pair of sneakers in my closet that were practically brand new. I think that I'd bought the sneakers at either Costco or Sam's about four or five years ago. Think the reason they were in my closet was that they were uncomfortable to wear at the time.

Since they were the only pair of shoes that I have that didn't have three pounds of aluminum sticking out the sides and up above the shoe. I tried them on. Wore them for the day. I've been wearing them every day since, and my new physiatrist said he was ok with me wearing the sneakers as long as I'm using my walker when walking with them. I can accept that. More comfortable than wearing that brace on my leg.

As soon as I get my car converted over for the hand controls (waiting on parts still), I'm going shoe shopping. Both my parents need shoes, and so do I. I can't wait. No idea what kind of shoes I'll be getting, hopefully just some new sneakers. Saw that Crocs makes sneakers now. Leather shoes, with the soles and inserts made out of the material that Crocs are made out of. I want to at least try on a pair if I can find any.

edit

probably should mention that I still have to use the walker, and my knees have been hurting like crazy. But, I think the knee pain is from the brace. The knees were starting to hurt a lot before I ditched the brace. But, the brace wasn't supporting my knees. I think it was ripping my knees apart tho.