My best friend is diabetic and has something only fellow sufferers can truly appreciate - a diabetic foot. His liver, kidneys, heart and stomach are fine, but when he hurts his big toe, it causes severe puss filled trauma that keeps him bedridden for a week. He says he’s never aware of when he hurts his foot, so it’s very difficult to prevent such malaise. To this end, his wife checks both his feet every day for any signs of injury or stress.
According to the American Diabetes Association, there are 20.8 million people in the United States, or about 7% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.
People that have been diagnosed with diabetes know that foot problems are a big risk. Minor injuries soon become major emergencies. With a diabetic foot, a wound as small as a blister (from
wearing a shoe that is suddenly too tight) can cause a lot of damage. That’s why I bought
my friend a brand new pair of Holey Soles. Now I’m 
not advocating that these lightweight shoes are therapeutic footwear – they’re not. But these extremely
comfy foam sandals are just malleable enough that they won’t cause blisters – and they’re
pliable enough to expand when his feet swell up with excess blood.
Diabetes decreases his blood flow, so his injuries are slow to heal. When his wounds don’t heal, he’s at risk for infection. As a diabetic, his infections spread quickly. After receiving my gift, my friend's spirits soared – he now has a very comfortable pair of protective shoes to wear around the house.
