People Profile: Emily Blum

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As a child, Emily Blum—now age 32—grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and was active, playful, and outgoing. She ran, jumped, and skipped with no difficulties. She enjoyed playing tennis and took ballet and jazz lessons at a local dance studio. When she turned 9 years old, however, her dance teacher noticed that her left foot was slightly inverted and she was walking on the outside of her foot.

Emily Blum

Initially doctors didn’t think there was any cause for alarm, but by a year later, both feet were inverted and walking proved difficult. Thus began a seemingly endless journey to doctors, specialists and therapists but no one—including pediatricians, orthopedists, neurologists, chiropractors, and even an acupuncturist—could determine why her feet and legs were turning into such awkward positions.

By the age of 13, in addition to her inward turning legs, Emily’s left leg began to kick up awkwardly and then her right leg followed soon thereafter. Walking became even more difficult and physically exhausting, and she could barely walk a mere two blocks without exerting tremendous energy.

One doctor incorrectly diagnosed her as having a muscular degenerative disorder and performed two surgeries that proved to be of no help. Frustrated himself, this doctor suggested that the problem may be psychiatric.

“To think that at age 13 I was making up these problems to get attention was inconceivable to me. I remember feeling so shocked, angry and sad,” Emily said.

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