Shoeless.

Tomorrow, April 5th, 2011, I am going One Day Without Shoes so that a child in need doesn’t have to.

What does barefoot mean to me?
On a regular day, it represents the freedom to go without shoes if I choose to do so. It means embracing the Katie that existed years ago as a child. I love to feel the earth beneath my feet even if that means stepping on a rock or two.

What about being barefoot on April 5th?
I am going barefoot to raise awareness because not everyone has the luxury to choose to go barefoot. In many countries around the world, people cannot afford to buy shoes, and therefore just go without. Without shoes, children cannot go to school and in turn, have a greater chance of repeating the poverty cycle.

Doesn’t sound like a big deal, right?
Wrong. Not wearing shoes can lead to serious disease and infection, such a Podoconiosis. Podoconiosis is a debilitating disease that causes extreme swelling, repeated ulcers and deformities, especially in the legs.

The best part?
The disease is 100% preventable just by wearing shoes. The people affected by this disease constantly walk barefoot in silica-heavy volcanic soil, but not by choice.

What can you do to help?
Join the efforts worldwide and go One Day Without Shoes.

Go to: www.onedaywithoutshoes.com for more information.

Will you step up and help raise awareness?