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08-08-2004, 10:31 AM

I have a question for anyone out there with experience in this field. In my case, I have had 3 foot surgeries, to be specific, bunion surgery and now have to wear orthopedic inserts in my shoes to give me the necessary support to allow me to walk normally. Has anyone ever made caligae with an insert that will pass muster? I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has. Before I cut leather I have to ponder this. On a more general note, how are you guys handling your other disabilities? The age of the roman reenacting population is pretty high so I know there must be a bunch of crippled old war horses out there with difficulties like me. Bad knees,backs, feet etc., How do you cope?

08-08-2004, 01:37 PM

My only disability is ADHD, so it's pretty easy to hide 
 
Cavetus

08-08-2004, 04:14 PM

I recently made a new pair of caligae for myself and I employed a tip given to me by Richard Campbell of legio XX, to build in a Dr. Schoell's pad underneath the leather insole. This helps, but for a long march socks are still a good idea.

Matthew Amt · 08-08-2004, 04:55 PM

Avete! 
 
If you happen to be doing second century AD or later, you have a big advantage because regular caligae were pretty much gone by then. There are many other styles of shoe from which to choose, many of which are more enclosed or even completely enclosed. Should be easy to stick modern inserts in those. For such a need, I wouldn't even object to shoes other than caligae being worn with a first-century impression. 
 
As for dealing with other problems related to age, many of us simply put up with hurting on Monday. Some don't even make it through Sunday. Gads, we could use a few more younger guys in the ranks! Personally, I've been pretty lucky so far, nothing more than irritating little pains and such. And being hyper helps me get through the weekend! But my troops are under strict orders NOT to have heart attacks at events! 
 
Valete (creak, groan), 
 
Matthew/Quintus

08-08-2004, 05:52 PM

Avete 
 
I'd agree with Matt. Using some of the info from his wonderful web site and with reference to Roman Military Clothing (1) 100BC - AD 200 (Graham Sumner). I have made several pairs of closed shoes which hide a multitude of sins. I even varied the standard pattern caligae for a chap who has problems with his achilles tendon (these have a panel missing in this area). 
 
Reference material I have read suggests that closed shoes were worn quite widely even in the 1st century AD. 
 
Your choice of footwear depends on your starting point. Do you really want to portray a 1st Century legionary or do you want get involved generally in something roman that can accomodate any disabilities without making life unbearable? 
 
Valete 
 
Mummius.

**Robert Vermaat** · 08-08-2004, 10:34 PM

Hi, 
The very nice chap roaming the streets with us is wearing (I assume) the same shoes as you do. Yes, they're not period. No, nobody minds. His role is purely civilian though, with the toga hiding his footwear most of the time. We like him no less for it. 
<img src="http://www.fectio.org.uk/shows/bom2004poort2.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
Valete, 
Valerius/Robert Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=vortigernstudies>Vortigern Studies</A> at: 8/9/04 12:37 am

08-09-2004, 10:23 AM

Well, my right leg is a bit shorter due to a heavy traffic accident 15 years ago. Since I haven't yet participated in a meeting (something which is gonna happen soon), I didn't have to cope with the problem until now. However I am planning on making caligae with the right one having an in worked extra thickness consisting of extra leather. I am sure these problems occurred in Roman times too and they would have been solved this way for sure. I can't imagine that a soldier would have to end his career in the legions for these minor injuries. After all, a trained soldier was an investment. Even if his disability prevented him from performing his normal duties, I am sure some work could be found for him. 
But of course a legion wasn't a home for the disabled and there would have been limitations depending on the gravity of the disability. 
 
Jurgen/Quintilianus

08-09-2004, 05:37 PM

I don't where special shoes, my ortho inserts are pretty small and slip into most street shoes, I'm considering buying another set and build them right in to my caligae. Or, perhaps wear udones and slip the inserts into them. It sucks to get old.

Caius Fabius · 08-10-2004, 01:05 AM

I am one of the lucky ones, I had a broken femur, and a damaged hip socket from one helicopter incident, which also left me with a damaged lower back. While working in tanks, I managed to rupture some disks in my neck and upper spine, and dislocate both shoulders. I am now somewhat disabled. 
Recently I was very pleased to be allowed to carry the Leg II Augusta standard at a recent outing with our sister unit in Lafe, (mainly because I had the bearskin). I admit that traveling cross country, even for the less than 3 K march, was very painful. I am never going to be able to do the 30K roadmarches again. (unless I drive a cart of supplies). Even riding a horse is much more difficult with my various aches and pains! 
However, I can portray an older veteran who is waiting for retirement, staying behind to guard the camp, doing paperwork, helping the cooks, teaching the onlookers at public events, or other various duties. I can function as an artilleryman or a medical or engineering immunes. The Roman Army had its share of sick lame and unfit for duty troopers, especially in certain periods and locations. 
I also have (as an long time re-enactor), a good supply of newbie equipments, weapons and shields which I take to events, and I have my civilian tunic and toga, for those times when I am suffering the effects of weather, damp, and old age, but still want to enjoy the fellowship of other re-enactors. I even have been known to be the "crippled slave", in a ratty old tunic. 
Disabilities are a fact of life, today and 2000 years ago. Back then your shoes were often handmade for an individual, and having lifts, or special bits for the bunions and such would be normal! I use a wooden cane, not an aluminium one. I keep my various medicines in my satchel, in a wooden box. I attend what events I can, and I realize that there are some events, like the LEG X FRETENSIS desert treks, that I am just not going to be able to participate in. Oh well, life and re-enactment goes on! 
Be well! Enjoy! Carpe Diem!

08-10-2004, 07:27 AM

We have a new recruit to our unit who is extremely 'visually impaired'. He can never go out on parade becuase of safety, but we are finding him things to do. After all, one of the the most common illnesses mentioned in the Vindolanda manuscripts are eye infections, so it would be entirely plausible for him to be a medically discharged legionary. At the moment he generally helps around camp, especially in the cook tent (lucky git!) but we are finding him a 'trade', probably something like basket-weaving which he can sell to the unit and the public. 
 
Celer.

derek forrest · 08-10-2004, 05:36 PM

I should forget the caligae and use boots which are perfectly appropriate for late 1st cent. 
We have several disabled members including one who does every event with an artificial leg and apart from his bracae you would not see a difference.One other can see very little but still manages to follow the rest without trouble. Personally reenactment gives me a motive to keep fit . I have lost nearly 2 stones as a consequence. That being said we do see some very overweight reenactors (present company excluded) and it is one disability most can do something about!!! 
I also agree there is always the need for the less fit to watch camps act as Senators etc and we owe it to the older members to keep them involved as long as possible. 
One thing of course no Roman groups do is to admit women into the ranks unlike the sealed knot and Napoleonic association. Breasts are therefore a complete disability.

08-10-2004, 05:44 PM

Derek 
 
Speak for yourself! there are a few groups who do admit females in male roles. The usual requirement is that they caonvincingly portray the mal role. 
 
Mummius

JRSCline · 08-10-2004, 07:03 PM

British women are alleged to have the largest breasts in the world, on average, so you must forgive Derek for thinking they are prone to be conspicuous. 
 
Others of us not so well endowed are surely well able to bind up and hide the "disability" under segmentata. 
 
I would say fat round beer guts are far more of a liability, visually, than a bound bosom, which really just looks like pectoral muscles, something many lads could stand to improve. 
 
 
Jenny 
-------------------- 
 
"The great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearances, as though they are realities, and are often even more influenced by the things that seem than by those that are." 
-- NiccolÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â³ Machiavelli, The Discourses, 1517.

08-10-2004, 07:32 PM

Quote:<hr>I would say fat round beer guts are far more of a liability, visually, than a bound bosom, which really just looks like pectoral muscles, something many lads could stand to improve.<hr> 
 
Hey! I resemble that remark 
 
Cavetus Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=tomknighton>Tom Knighton</A> at: 8/11/04 1:35 am

Lucius Aurelius Metellus · 08-10-2004, 10:23 PM

Hello to you all, 
I just wanted to say that I, too, reenact with a disability. Not too long ago, I was severely injured in my lower back in an accident on my job. I have undergone two surgeries to try and repair the damage to some extent, the last surgery was a spinal fusion, and they implanted titanium "cages" into my spine to fuse the damaged vertebrae. I have had a terrible time trying to walk since my surgeries, and now wear a brace. 
I will probably never be able to do some of the things that I used to do when I was younger, like road marches, mock fighting (at least the very physical type), but being able to put on my boots, and hold my sword in my hand, and be around other reenactors is like a soothing balm to my injuries. It gives me something to look forward to, and helps me forget my troubles, at least for a little while. 
One day, I hope to be able to be fully healed and able to do more, but if it never happens, so be it. I will still be just as happy to haul back on the winch of a seige engine, and sit and drink a cup of wine with my comrades around a fire at night. 
I appreciate so much the people who help others feel welcome and wanted despite their handicaps or disabilities, and I will always return the favor when given the opportunity. Lucius Aurelius Metellus, miles gregarius, Secunda Brittanica

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