Patients Have "Happy" Feet
Donated Running Shoes Make for Speedy Rehab Treatment

Some of the patients at Quentin Mease Community Hospital have happy feet, thanks to a free shoe give-away program started by physical therapist Jessica Robilotto and the entire Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department.

The "Back on Our Feet" program, begun in March, refurbishes old running shoes for rehabilitation and geriatric patients at the Harris County Hospital District facility.

"Our patients just love them," Robilotto said. "You'd be surprised how excited they get when they get a pair of shoes."

The excitement pays off with better participation from patients with their treatment, says the Atlanta transplant who's been on staff with the hospital for a year. The cushioned running shoes benefit patients who suffer from arthritis, orthopedic ailments such as inner-knee and ankle injuries, and back pain.

Robilotto first came up with the idea of the program after seeing that a patient's rehabilitation program was hampered by his lack of cushioned shoes. She thought his rehab would do a lot better if he only had good shoes. She asked her fiance, Mark Drummond, an avid runner, to donate a pair of his old running shoes.

"Mark was the same size and he said `yes,'" she said. "I could see the patient was happier and his rehab was progressing."

The program really picked up steam after Drummond mentioned what Robilotto was doing to a mutual friend who works at Luke's Locker, a specialty running store. The store had become a depository of sorts for old running shoes donated by runners who wanted them to be used by others.

Most runners tend to use shoes for about 300 miles before discarding them, but the shoes are still in very good condition, Robilotto said.

In all, the hospital's program has about 80 pairs of shoes. On this day, several rows of shoes were drying and awaiting new owners. Robilotto hopes to entice other companies and individuals to help donate inner soles for old shoes or new shoes.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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