
It's just a pair of shoes - but they're life-changing for me
Jeanette Russell has never been more delighted with a new pair of shoes.They were created by a skilled designer but they are not the latest in high-end fashion.The shoes have been specially designed to stop Jeanette falling over - and they are life-changing.The black boot-like creations are for people like Jeanette who suffer from footdrop, a condition caused by her MS that makes it difficult for her to walk unaided without tripping or falling over.
"I just put the boots on and I can drive, I can do the gym I can go hill-walking," says Jeanette."I can walk over terrain that is really rough and can walk normally down the street with confidence and strides, when before I had a rolling gait which gave me a really sore back. "I haven't had any falls since I've been wearing the shoes."Footdrop affects many people who have conditions affecting the nervous system, like MS or cerebral palsy, or people who have had a stroke.They struggle to keep their toes lifted, making walking difficult and tiring. As a result, they are more likely to fall.Now researchers at Queen Margaret University (QMU) in Edinburgh have invented a shoe which they hope will tackle this problem by providing the right kind of support to the foot, keeping the wearer upright and safer.
Prof Derek Santos is one of the QMU researchers who designed the shoe. He says the concept is quite simple but very effective. The use of adjustable velcro straps helps the shoe to fit each user and support at the ankle. "You can adjust the elastic depending on your disability," he said."If you have a weaker muscle or a totally paralysed muscle you can actually activate the elastic to compensate for these things. "You can also tighten the elastic more on one side than the other. "If you have a foot that inverts, sometimes people tend to trip over, so the boot will actually put your foot in a much better position by simply adjusting the tension in the elastics."The research team believe the new footwear could improve the wearer's walking and prevent hundreds of thousands of falls in the UK.But as it is a global problem, podiatry lecturer Dr Kavi Jagadamma says they want to help people around the world and adapt the shoe to individual needs.
"We are particularly interested in developing simple designs like sandals where this could be integrated for people in hot countries or people living in low income countries, where people can't afford expensive boots," he said."The simple sandals might be more accessible and also culturally more normal to wear. So that's our ambition going forward."Professor of physiotherapy Cathy Bulley is also part of the QMU research team. She says the fact that it looks like a normal piece of clothing is a big advantage."We felt we needed another option for people that was more comfortable to wear, easier to put on and generally that people are more likely to keep using."We've been working on the clever but low-tech solution."Jeanette, a former army nurse, says her physical confidence has been restored by the shoe. She has even been able to return to the challenging hill-walks she loves."I'm looking forward to getting a hiking boot in this design so I can get up Ben Nevis. "I'm also hoping to be marching past the cenotaph this November, with pride in my boots. "
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Independent
28 minutes ago
- The Independent
The Inkey List's glycolic acid exfoliating stick worked magic on my keratosis pilaris
If you struggle with keratosis pilaris (also known as strawberry skin – a build-up of keratin within our skin pores) or sore razor bumps, then listen up. The much loved-affordable skincare brand The Inkey List may have produced the answer to our collective grumbles. Having sold out after its original launch, this stick claims to reduce the appearance of keratosis pilaris, razor bumps, hyper-pigmentation, breakouts and ingrown hairs. Results are promised after just one week, and drastic improvements are said to be visible after a month of consistent use. How does this miracle product work? Well, it's a combination of skin-loving hero ingredients. The glycolic acid is used to exfoliate the skin's surface and remove dead cells that leave the skin feeling rough, bumpy and uneven in tone. Salicylic acid helps to unclog oily pores, which is what causes issues like breakouts and ingrown hairs. Finally, shea butter offers a hydrating and moisturising effect. Chemical exfoliants have become the way of the future, and after testing this product, I'm beginning to see why. Here's how I got on with this miracle stick. How I tested Using the exfoliating stick every night for the last two months, I targeted keratosis pilaris on my arm, as well as underarm razor bumps and dry heels and elbows. I followed instructions carefully, starting by only using the stick two or three times a week and building up to every night once my skin had gotten used to it. To assess the product's efficacy, I looked for two things, appearance and texture. I noted any decrease in redness and improvement in brightness and paid close attention to any changes in the dryness or bumpiness of my skin.


The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
I always lose my erection when I'm with my girlfriend because she reminds me of my late mother – it feels like incest
DEAR DEIDRE: SEX with my girlfriend is a flop – and I'm worried it's because she reminds me of my late mother. She's not my normal type at all, but I love being around her. It's just whenever we try to have sex, I lose my erection. I'm 57 and have been divorced for four years. A few months ago, I decided to try dating again. I quickly met my now girlfriend, 48, on a dating site. I generally like petite, dark women, and she's tall and curvy with blonde hair, just like my mother was. That did unsettle me a little, but I brushed the thought away. Her personality instantly attracted me. She is so warm, kind and funny, and she has a successful career. We had lots of interests in common too. When we met up, I realised I had developed strong feelings for her. Being around her felt comfortable and easy. We had lots of kisses and cuddles, and held hands in the street. So, the first time we went to bed together, I wasn't worried. But, within a couple of minutes, I lost my erection — and whatever we tried, I couldn't get it back. This has never happened before. I've tried to reassure her that I do find her attractive, but it's starting to affect our relationship, and I'm now questioning whether the problem is her resemblance to my mother. The thought that my interest in her is some sort of weird incest thing makes me feel sick. Of course, I haven't mentioned this subject to her. Please help before she leaves me. DEIDRE SAYS: Being attracted to someone who looks like your mother isn't uncommon, and doesn't mean you ever wanted an incestuous relationship. Perhaps you're so comfortable around this woman because she feels familiar. But now you've focused on this, it has understandably become a turn-off. And, like any psychological problem affecting sex, the more you worry, the more your erection problem happens. Then again, you're now 57, so it's possible there's a physical reason behind your inability to sustain arousal. See your GP to rule out any health problems. My support pack, Erection Issues, has more information about this. Sometimes, taking sex off the table for a while helps arousal to come back naturally. And the better you get to know your girlfriend, the less like your mum she will seem. FAMILY LEFT ON THE BRINK OVER VIOLENT YOUNGER SIS DEAR DEIDRE: MY younger sister is spiralling out of control, it's destroying our family. She's become increasingly violent and, the other day, when we had a row, she punched me in the face, leaving me with a black eye. I'm scared she's going to seriously hurt someone – or herself. She's 26 and I'm her 29-year-old big brother. She's had behavioural problems since she was a teenager and has dabbled with drugs and alcohol too. Yesterday, our dad tried to talk to her, and she threatened to jump out of the window, just to get attention. Our parents are at a loss as to how to deal with her. They are distraught and I can see it's taking a toll on their health. I know she needs professional help – maybe even to be sectioned – but I don't know where to start. DEIDRE SAYS: Few people realise how much someone's mental health struggles impact the whole family. You're right to be concerned and it does sound like your sister needs specialist help. You and your parents also need support. Contact Rethink Mental Illness ( which helps people with mental health problems, and their loved ones. It has a Siblings Network. If she's in denial, you could also try talking to your sister's GP. Tell them you're worried she's a danger to herself and others. BLOKE'S PLAYING WITH MY FEELINGS DEAR DEIDRE: I KNOW I should leave my on-off boyfriend, but every time I break up with him, he love bombs me until I take him back. I don't feel like he's really there for me and whenever he lets me down, I end up turning to drink. We've been in a relationship for five years and are both in our mid-30s. When we first started seeing each other, he was the perfect boyfriend – making me feel I was special. Then he disappeared. I was just starting to get over him, when he came back and started up with the love bombing again. Since then, we've been in this constant pattern. Our relationship is always conducted on his terms. It's making me feel so confused and I have no idea how he really feels about me. But I still love him. DEIDRE SAYS: This relationship doesn't sound healthy for you. Love bombing someone isn't the same as loving them – it's manipulation. He seems incapable of committing to a proper relationship, and after five years, things are highly unlikely to change. You deserve better. Read my support pack, Addictive Love, for more advice on how to deal with this type of relationship. Counselling could help. Perhaps it's time to take control and walk away from him for good. FEEL GUILTY FOR JAILING VILE EX DEAR DEIDRE: WHEN my abusive ex was sent to jail for his violent behaviour, I thought I'd finally feel safe and happy. But instead, I just feel sorry for him and I'm scared that when he comes out he will convince me to take him back. We were together for ten years and have a daughter together. I'm 30 and he's 42. He was physically abusive throughout our relationship and it got worse when I was pregnant. I often felt in danger for my life. For a long time, I was scared to leave. Then I became afraid he'd start on our little girl. I told him I wanted to break up. He said if I left, he'd break both my legs and put me in hospital for months, so I couldn't look after her. I went to the police and got a non-molestation order. But he broke it. As he had previous convictions, he ended up being sent down for three years. I can't move on. I keep thinking about him, feeling guilty that he's in jail because of me. I still love him and worry he might manipulate me into giving him another chance. What can I do to stop feeling like this? DEIDRE SAYS: He's in prison because of his own actions. You protected yourself and your daughter which was the right thing to do and have no reason to feel guilty. But your conflicted feelings are natural. You have a child together, and presumably some happy memories. Try to remind yourself how much he hurt you emotionally and physically. Talking to one of the organisations listed in my support pack, Abusive Partner, and having counselling, will help you to work through your feelings and to build your strength so that you're in a stronger place mentally when he comes out. You can also get legal advice from Rights of Women ( 020 7251 6577).


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Ambulance call-outs to deal with prison overdoses soar amid 'drugs epidemic'
The number of ambulance call-outs made to prisons after reported overdoses and 'poisonings' has almost doubled in the past year, fuelling fears of a 'drug epidemic' behind bars. New Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) figures show that 109 calls were made in 2023-24, a sharp increase on the 62 calls in 2022-23 – a rise of 76 per cent. Prison bosses insisted they are working with police to 'prevent illicit substances entering our establishments, to protect people from the harm they cause'. The figures came as a group which receives taxpayers' money claimed free needles and vapes should be handed out to prisoners so they can take Class A drugs in a safer way. Last night Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: 'This shocking rise in ambulance call-outs for overdoses and poisonings in prisons confirms what staff have been warning about for years. 'The drugs epidemic inside Scotland's jails is escalating, putting inmates' lives at risk, creating a toxic atmosphere for those trying to get clean and putting prison officers in danger. 'It's also adding to the strain on our already overstretched emergency workers - at a time when Scotland's ambulance service is unable to meet demand, these additional, avoidable pressures are making things worse.' Among the prisons with the highest number of ambulance call-outs for 'overdose/poisoning' since 2019 were HMP Shotts (65) in Lanarkshire and HMP Addiewell in West Lothian (47). A further 45 calls were made to HMP Glenochil [in Tullibody, Clacks], 42 at HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow, 38 at HMP Grampian, 23 at HMP Perth. Meanwhile, the Scottish Drugs Forum - which received almost £2million from the public purse last year - has suggested the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) should provide drug paraphernalia so inmates can inject narcotics in prison. That is despite guards battling a drug crisis as more than a third of inmates have admitted taking illegal substances in prison, with more than a quarter saying their drug use only started - or increased - while in custody. The Forum's plan came after Health Secretary Neil Gray last week said a heroin shooting gallery in Glasgow may be extended to allow addicts to inhale crack cocaine. Commenting further on the ambulance call-outs last night, Tory MSP Mr Kerr said: 'Nationalist ministers, detached from reality in their Holyrood bubble, have allowed this situation to spiral out of control. 'There are solutions to this problem if the Scottish Government would only put in the time, effort and resource to examine and implement them.' An SPS spokesman said: 'The health and wellbeing of those in our care is a key priority. 'We work with NHS partners, who are responsible for healthcare in our establishments, to ensure emergency calls to the SAS are only made when necessary and appropriate. 'Our staff work hard, alongside partners, including Police Scotland, to prevent illicit substances entering our establishments, to protect people from the harm they cause.' A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'The SPS are managing a high and complex prison population and work closely with Police Scotland and other justice partners to prevent the availability and supply of illicit substances. 'This includes SPS piloting the introduction of grilles on windows in HMP Perth, HMP Edinburgh, and HMP Glenochil to prevent items being passed from drone to an individual in a cell. 'If successful, this pilot will be expanded where appropriate. 'The NHS, which is responsible for healthcare in prisons, works closely with the SPS to ensure emergency calls to the Scottish Ambulance Service are only made when necessary and appropriate. 'We are also increasing investment in our vital prison service by increasing the SPS resource budget by 10 per cent to £481.5million in 2025/26, which helps promote the health, safety, and wellbeing of all people who live in Scotland's prison system.'