I think most of us try to contain our frustration and hide the pain by being super nice to everyone. Well, if you want to vent, have a go at me. When the RA started I was already wearing special lace-up shoes for a minor foot problem and continued to wear them. A neighbour who takes me shopping got tired of bending over to adjust the laces and hauled me off the other day to buy slip-ons. Oh, my! What a difference, no more laces to tie up. Should have done it months ago.
So, go on, feel free to post and call me stupid. If it helps make you feel better, even if only for a few moments, I'll be happy..
Not stupid at all, Dessy. That's what these boards are for. There are so many people here with so much good advice. For example, Crunchy says that crocs are the most comfortable shoe for RA sufferers. I've recommended them to a lot of people (including you!). Have I gotten a pair? Nope. Why not? I don't know. Are you serious? Those crocs look like the most uncomfortable andThe crocks are kind of growing on me though. I see lots of people wearing them now and at times think they look cute and comfortable. ALTHOUGH; I think they look really gay on men. UNLESS of course he's wearing green scrubs and rubber gloves. lol
LMAO!!! That's hilarious! I totally agree.. they do look kindaThanks for the hints everybody.
Dessy, you can get crocs in Australia now... they look like a big pairHave decided that comfortable but unfashionable-looking footwear far better than agonised look on face
RE the Crocs, will probably become all the rage - a bit like the Doc Martens which became a must-have for the young folk some years ago. Good for pottering around muddy garden in the months when we might actually get some rain; and great for walking on hot sand or in northern Aust. waters where one has to beware of stonefish and other lovelies.
Shannon and Dessy, where abouts in Oz do you live? I've managed to meet up with a few aussie chatters and posters from the orig. A.I. forum in the past few years; one day perhaps I can meet up with you two
lorrie
Hi, Lorrie, I live in the Kincumber Nautical Village, between Gosford and Woy Woy on the Central Coast of N.S.W. You? I thought I'd put my 2 cents in on Crocs. I was wearing birkenstocks until I tried Crocs. I love mine, but then I dress casually most of the time because I'm a stay at home mom. Anyway, you have to get the Crocs brand. The knock offs at Kmart, Payless etc. are like walking on concrete in my opinion. I live in the south but my 13 year old son visited an amusement park in Iowa this summer and reported that everyone was wearing crocs. It's a new fashion craze I guess, not just for people with sore feet.Okay...here is the low down on Crocs...they have been around for a while and were being sold in high-end department stores. Nurses and chefs and other workers were wearing them. As they gained popularity in the workplace, the word got out on the comfort level and ease of care and they are "in" now. Here is the deal about wearing...for you older and less hip users (hehehe) you have to wear pants with a wide leg or flared leg for them to look right. Kids can get away with them with shorts, and no socks. But for older kids and adults, wear socks and pants. They can be worn with the strap up or down, I personally find them to be more comfy with the strap down (around the back of the heel). Here, they come in every color you can think of and in dark shades and bright shades. I bought my first pair in Feb and they were the only shoes I could wear. I just got a new pair 'cause I have worn the others almost every day even to work for the past 7 months.
You have to get real crocs, the knock offs are totally not the same thing. They are hard, the real crocs are springy. They are wide so if your tootsies swell you will have room. If you dont like the color choices available, try them on for size and then you can order from the crocs website to get the color you like.
I have black ones, just for versatility. My 9yr old has a pair and loves them.
Sorry guys, but Ugg boots are so 2 years ago! The 70's bo-ho look is on it's way out...the fashionable shoe right now is ballerina slipper style flats...they go with the leggings and dressy tops that are coming back in.
I still love my flip-flop collection, my rocket-dogs, and my new-balance collection. I cant were my chucks if I am doing any ammount of walking, but I wont part with them either. I keep one pair of cowboy boots...but I cant do any ammount of walking in them either. I think it is a rule, you cant live in TX without at least one pair of boots in your closet. I did give away my high heeled dress boots to a friend just starting a new job. I have one or two pairs of pretty heels that I wont part with, but I cant wear either. It makes me a little happier just having them. I always wondered what Stacy and Clinton from "What not to wear" would do with a group of RA people....no high heeled pointy toed shoes for us! Sometimes those fashionistas are really just fascists. Being judged a lesser human, because of my footwear makes me mad to say the least.
After 30 years of chronic RA I'm still walking and working. EVERY step I take hurts - just a matter of how bad. Shoes make a huge difference in my pain level. Shame on the fashion fascists! I love my crocs! I agree that the knock-offs are terrible replicas. The thing about wearing crocs is that your foot must fit inside the shoe without the sides touching...normally meaning you wear one size up from your normal shoe size. The strap, when worn around the back of the heel, is further inside the shoe than the back edge, hugging to your heal as you walk. I learned this only after buying my first pair one size smaller than I should have. I read how to fit them afterwards on their web page, and bought another pair. they're the most comfortable things I've every put my feet in. I feel weightless when I'm wearing them...which is such a plus for RA sufferers! Ugly or not...these are fun and comfy. I bought some of the little jewels, too...that you can put in the holes to decorate them. I love 'em! Real Crocs are made of memory foam - the same stuff that's in tempurpedic mattresses. Knockoffs are not. That's why there's such a difference in the feel.
dessy, I have been to Gosford - not your nautical village - worked in Sydney for some years and have friends in Gosford area but too cold for me - Brisbane is my home town but it's getting invaded by 'southerners' lol! Leanne Way aka kitkat used to be on old A.I. and lives in Gosford area - moved from Sydney a couple of years ago and works part time in Arth. F. office and I think has website for younger RA folk. Don't know whether you have met up with her on the Arth. forums. I've never met her but caught up with other Oz chatters from the orig. A.I. site and it is great to get to know them. Re the Crocs, interesting info added - now I know to look out for the genuine article, not the copies! lorrie I just did a yahoo search for these "Crocs" and found many places offer the original "Crocs" for about 25-50.00. That's not a bad price when comparing them to Birkenstock's (which I have been a fan of for the past 8 years) when I could no longer wear enclosed shoes due to the swelling and pain. Yes, I too was a professional that wore suits and heels EVERYDAY for about 30 years. I do miss that !!!! I miss feeling pretty or at least looking it. I do miss the heels or at least trendy type shoes or boots. In stead I fit in great in the summer with my flip flops or Birks. Thanks for the mentioning of the Crocs !!!! I will be sure to check them out !!!! I can't wait for something a bit more colorful and fun in my life for a change !!!! Hi there, I live in the UK and when a friend brought a pair of crocs back from the US for me to try I thought she must be joking. I wore them a few times around the house until I felt brave enough to face the world in them. Now I wear them all the time, its like walking barefoot but more comfortable. Great for gardening, on the beach, or anytime. Going to get another pair and also crocs do flip flops as well. Do persevere if you get a pair and then suddenly you won't want to wear anything else. They look great with jeans. They are non-slip as well so that takes a bit of getting used to on wet surfaces as you can just walk normally without tripping. Honestly I don't work for CROC. Try them!! Okay all of this talk about the original crocs being better than the knockoffs has certianly got me curious. I have a pair of the knockoffs got them at payless. I thought they were very ugly and teased my kids when they wanted a pair. So being the cool mom I am (hehehe) I got myself a pair as well. Oh my I love them I wear them everywhere. I am not a youngster but I still wear mine with shorts or pants. I wear mine more than the girls do theirs. My husband doesn't like them says they are ugly. However I do not care anymore, being new to RA I am discovering that comfort does not always go hand in hand with beauty. Now after seeing how everyone loves the original i may have to check them out. Although I tend to be a tightwad and the thought of spending that much on a shoe hurts just a little. Hi Lorrie, Shannon and all the other Aussies on this forum. It's nice to know that while Canada and the U.S. sleeps we are up and about. Terrific info re Crocs, they sound great, so thank you all.
FEEL QUITE STYLISH AND MORE IMPORTANT - COMFY.
least you can get direct flights to most places because of the tourists
it attracts!
I was last in Brisbane in January to see Dirty Dancing and do some
retail therapy.
Thanks all for the info on crocs. I think I'll have to try them out now
after so many good reviews. But as for ugh boots being old
fashioned - they're not if you only wear them in winter around the
house!! They are my winter slippers... it's way too hot in Cairns for
ugh boots! And the same applies for ugh: you have to buy the real
thing otherwise you end up with poor fitting shoes and worn-out
fleece.
they are really comfy. The kids wear every color under the rainbow--even
tie-dyed.
Get with the program folks....anybody who is anybody wears Crocs. Well,
at least in middle school :)
Becky
ps...people who look at your Crocs are just jealous!
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