In a wonderful display of holiday giving, Christiana Care Health System’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery recently provided new shoes, socks and foot exams for free to nearly 150 people—many of them homeless—on December 2, at the Sunday Breakfast Mission, a homeless shelter in Wilmington, Delaware. The event is part of a campaign by a national organization known as Our Hearts to Your Soles, whose mission is to provide indigent people with shoes and free foot examinations.
Paul Kupcha, M.D., section chief of Foot and Ankle Surgery at Christiana Care and an orthopedic surgeon with Delaware Orthopaedic Specialists, is the local coordinator for the event. Dr. Kupcha said that foot health provides a clue to a person’s overall health. Joint stiffness, for example, can indicate arthritis; tingling and numbness can be connected to diabetes; swelling can indicate high blood pressure or diseases of the heart and kidneys.
“By providing our most needy neighbors with shoes, they are able to get more physical activity and are protected from frostbite, ” said Dr. Kupcha in the November 25, 2014 news release. Dr. Kupcha has volunteered with Our Hearts to Your Soles for seven years. He added, “We also examine individuals’ feet and treat them if they are suffering from chronic foot-related problems. I am grateful for the partnerships that we have formed in our community that enable us to provide expert care and high-quality footwear to our neighbors.”
Red Wing Shoes stepped up to the plate with a donation of 100 pairs of new shoes for the local event, which is part of a national campaign to provide several thousand pairs of shoes to those in need during the holiday season. Since 2007, more than 24, 000 people have received shoes through Our Hearts to Your Soles.
Hypertension, respiratory illness and foot problems are the three most common health issues that the homeless face, said Reverend Tom Laymon, executive director of the Sunday Breakfast Mission., in the news release. “Homeless men and women are in such great need of care for their feet and good shoes, ” Laymon said. “It is truly a blessing to be provided with these special gifts, particularly going into the winter period.”
Dr. Kupcha told OTW, “Foot disorders are one of the most frequent health issues for homeless people. They are prone to problems because they do not get proper medical care for several conditions that can impact their feet, most commonly diabetes, vascular conditions and neuropathy. Chronic exposure to the elements (such as wet conditions, cold and heat) and lack of proper hygiene opportunities put homeless people at extreme risk for foot disorders. They also tend to spend a disproportionate amount of time walking since this is their sole means of transportation. Poorly conditioned socks and shoes cause blisters, ulcers and arthritis.”
Asked how they proceeded if they found someone with a serious foot condition, Dr. Kupcha noted, “We treat and advise on many problems then and there at the Sunday Breakfast Mission. Patients may be referred to our offices or even acutely to the emergency room at Christiana Care Health System. Our partner organization for the event, Independence Orthotists, may help with bracing or shoeing.”
