Dear Sir, - I have been a reader of your paper now for some weeks, and have been interested and delighted in many of its features, especially the many letters from wearers of high heels. But my greatest delight was when you published the letter from "Helen Fivetoes"
I have always been a devotee of high heels and used to buy the highest I could get. I had a number of pairs with 4 inch and 5 inch heels, and three pairs with 6 inches and 6 1/4 inches.
About two years ago, while pillion-riding with a boy friend we were mixed up in nasty smash with two big cars. Merciful I lost consciousness, but when I came round in the hospital, some days later, and gathered my scattered wits, I found I was possessed of one leg only, the left one having been so badly smashed that it had been amputated right up close to the hip.
For some weeks I was very ill and very unhappy, but with returning strength my spirits rose, and I began to see the brighter side of things. In fact, when I reached the convalescent stage I resolved that my lost leg should make no difference at all where possible. So began a new phase of my life balanced on one leg and a pair of crutches. That was nearly two years ago and today there are few things that I cannot do that I did as a two-legged being.
As soon as I was pronounced fit for I tried wearing my high heels, starting with a 3 inch heel, and after some weeks I tried the 6 inch heel.
Your high-heeled readers will think that to be perched on very high heels is quite a thrill; but to stand on a single 6 inch stilt and swing gracefully along on the slimmest of crutches is a thrill that can only be realised by a one-legged girl.
As soon as I was promoted fit for a new leg by a specialist, and after many fittings, it was ready for me to wear. It is splendidly made, and when I am sitting, or even standing, no one could possibly tell that it was not my natural leg, for it matches the other one perfectly. But when I try to walk it is a different matter.
I find myself developing a most awkward and unnatural walk, so much so that I wear it only indoors, where I find it most useful; for if one has to use crutches one cannot use one's hands for anything else.
For outdoor use I have a pair of very light elbow crutches, and can walk quite quickly and - if I may say so - quite gracefully, which cannot be said of the artificial leg.
By the way, it is quite economical to only have a single leg to cloth, as one pair of silk stockings goes twice as far, and I am in the fortunate position of being able to get a sample shoe for my right foot for a fraction of the cost of a pair of shoes.
Yours
sincerely,
Single High Heel