The Unprofessional Guide to congenital vertical talus

It's a helpful book, no doubt. As a dad who was Googling at 2am after my son's diagnosis, it gave me the basics without making me feel stupid. Chapter 1 alone was worth the price. But I found some of the later sections — especially the day-to-day stuff — a bit repetitive. Also, I wish it had more specific photos or diagrams of the foot. Still, I feel less panicked now, so that's something.

I sobbed through the first chapter, but in a good way, if that makes sense? It felt like someone finally explained this in words I could understand. When my daughter was diagnosed, the doctor used all these crazy terms and I just froze. This book made me feel like I wasn't alone, and the questions to ask the doctor section was a lifesaver. I brought it to the appointment and actually felt prepared. Thank you for writing this.

My grandson was born with this and I felt so helpless being across the country. This guide helped me understand what my daughter and him are going through, and the caregiver chapter made me realize I can support them better without being overbearing. I called her after reading it and we had the best conversation. She couldn't believe I knew what a 'rocker-bottom foot' was. And now I actually do.

Good, solid resource overall. I'm an adult who was just diagnosed with this (apparently it was missed when I was a kid), and this was the first place I found that explained the condition without treating me like a medical student or a child. Chapter 1 was exactly what I needed on a scary day. I took off a star because the book is clearly more geared toward parents of infants, which I get, but a little more focus on the adult experience would've been nice.

The tone is a bit too cheerful for me at times. I appreciate the plain language and the effort to reduce fear, but I felt like some of the harder truths — like the potential for repeat surgeries or long-term pain — were brushed over to keep things positive. It's a decent starting point, but follow-up with a specialist is essential. The questions list is probably the most useful part, and that's coming from a fairly skeptical reader.

As a mom of a two-year-old just starting the treatment journey, this was a godsend. I was drowning in paperwork and worried about making the wrong choices. This book doesn't make decisions for you, but it gives you the language to talk to doctors and the confidence to ask questions you didn't know you had. The caregiver chapter made me tear up because I felt so seen. My only gripe is I wish it was longer!

I borrowed this from the library first and then bought my own copy because I kept underlining things. The explanation of the anatomy in Chapter 1 finally made the 'vertical talus' part click — I'd heard the words ten times from the doctor but still couldn't picture it. Now I can explain it to my family. It's not a magic fix for the situation, but it's a genuinely comforting, practical resource that I'm sure I'll return to.