The OK Adventures of Peppersloth and Annie

We did it! It took almost thirty-six years, but we did it! I am seeing a foot surgeon! Hallelujah!! I am so excited that this is FINALLY happening!! 

Now, you’re probably thinking, ‘Annie! You’ve had two surgeries on your leg! Why would you want MORE surgery?’ Or, you also might be thinking, ‘What in the world is happening? Why does this girl need surgery on her feet?’ Well, let me transport you back in time…

May, 11th, 1988…It was a BEAUTIFUL spring day in Columbus, OH. Kimberly had a normal day at work, and was now enjoying an evening with her husband and son. Then, her water broke around 10:50pm, and they rushed to the hospital, and I was born at 11:19pm. I don’t know if those are the EXACT details, but it’s close! Anyway, when I was born, my feet were crooked. I’m told that my parents were told to do some physical therapy with me, and that I would be ‘fine’. I would like to have a conversation with that doctor because I absolutely do not feel ‘fine’! I have dealt with rolled ankles, nightmare shoe shopping incidents, and have been in pain for most of my life. On what planet is that ‘fine’? At some point, my parents took me to see a podiatrist. I was fitted for orthotics, but they were the worst thing in the world. Also, I wasn’t very responsible with them. Don’t tell my parents, but I left them at a roller rink once. I got them back! But they were terrible and ineffective. How is ‘correcting’ pain with more pain a solution? Also, orthotics do not actually fix the problem. They are a band-aid, and a really terrible one at that. I have tried them twice as an adult, and it is a hard pass for me. 

Last year, I saw a podiatrist. He was condescending and unhelpful. He sent me for orthotics, which turned out to be a scam. This year, I finally found a doctor who referred me for physical therapy for my feet, AND a referral to see an orthopedist. Physical therapy has been SO helpful! I love it! I can see so much improvement in my feet. And today, I saw the orthopedist. He was MUCH nicer than the podiatrist, but he also tried to pass me off to orthotics. I put my foot down. No. I won’t. I basically demanded surgery as an option. And I won! I get to see a surgeon! I’m so excited! 

The other thing that happened today is that I started wearing a Star of David necklace. I have always been fascinated by Judaism, and since the attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023, I have become obsessed. If you know the Bible, then you know that Jesus was a Jew. Not just a Jew, but of the line of King David. That gives him important lineage. Since Jesus was a Jew, and his followers were the first Christians, that means that our Christianity roots are found in Judaism. There was no Christmas or Easter. Christians celebrated Jewish holidays, and followed Jewish traditions. When non-Jews, or Gentiles, started wanting to follow Christ, it was a BIG deal! The Apostles didn’t know what to do with them. Some rejected the idea that Gentiles could be Christ followers. Thank goodness someone disagreed with that! I don’t know when the separation between Judaism and Christianity happened, but it was never supposed to be this way. I believe that the BEST thing we can do as Christians is get back to our Jewish roots. I feel insistent on this, and so it is what I am going to work towards in my life. 

What I have found in my life is that, if I want something, I have to advocate for myself. If I believe in something, I have to advocate for it. I am my best advocate because I know me better than anyone. So, as difficult as it is for an introvert, I need to open my mouth and insist on what I want. If people don’t like it, it means they aren’t my people. That’s okay. I’m not stopping for people who don’t like me. Jesus didn’t. Why should I?