Read Carrianne Story

My name is Carrianne and I am currently 37 years old living in England, UK. I developed left sided foot drop in May 2023 after spinal decompression surgery. I had 2 slipped discs and it was found during the op that a shard of bone had nearly severed thru the sciatic nerve. The shard was removed successfully. However this caused permanent nerve damage down the left leg and foot, foot is permanently numb, and also caused foot drop. My balance has never fully recovered.

It took a few months of rehabilitation via physiotherapy to rebuild strength in my back and legs, I was able to start getting out more, regained my confidence and felt happy. However the foot drop caused me to have 3 bad falls, all outdoors, the third resulting in another prolapsed disc.

I was referred to orthotics for a splint. After a few months wait I received an AFO to keep my ankle in the correct position and I have fondly named it “Sammy” after Samuel Weller, a comic yet helpful character in dickens Pickwick Papers. Sammy has allowed me to regain not only some balance and safety but also confidence and independence. I forget I am wearing it but I find a lot of people stare at it, which can cause me to feel self conscious. Some people have asked “what is it?” Or “what have you done?” I find their curiosity endearing and I am happy to share my story with them.

I wanted to share my story to promote awareness of foot drop itself but also disability awareness. People shouldn’t be afraid to ask “what is that?” and it is preferable to ask than the stares and hushed whispers. I also wanted to promote body positivity and remind everyone not to be ashamed of disability or disability aids that provide a new lease of life to millions worldwide. Be proud and own it live life to the full.


Carrianne and Sammy (May 2025)