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Endorser profile: Andrew McPhail

For this post, I'm going to quote a fabulous up-and-coming author who wrote a future NYT bestseller and is also perhaps known for embellishment and sarcasm. You'll find these nuggets in Chapter Ten: #BabesWithMobilityAids.

I made an appointment with Andrew McPhail, who has been my oustanding orthotist for a number years. He is skilled, intelligent, and also incredibly kind. He’s a master at his work and in making me feel like a person and not a patient. I’m thankful to have benefited from many different practitioners who treat me with dignity, and Andrew is a shining example of this.

Andrew is one of my favourite healthcare people. I tend to make a lot of "best friends." When I connect strongly with someone, I will often say something like, "We should be best friends." I am not actually a fan of ranking the people in my life, so if I call someone a best friend, it's a compliment and means I hold them in high esteem. Many of my medical people are my favourites. Chad Klassen from South Osborne Physiotherapy is my favourite physiotherapist; Dr. Saab is my favourite neurologist; Sarah-Michelle Senécal from Stable Connections is my favourite hippotherapist. And Andrew McPhail from Snider Orthotic Design is definitely my favourite orthotist! I anticipated that readers might not be familiar with his profession, and I address that in the book.

Excuse me, Robyn, did you mean to say podiatrist or orthopedic something? No one has ever heard of an orthotist. We are both correct. I did mean orthotist, and probably the majority of people have never heard of this profession. Orthotists make custom orthotics as well as a variety of braces to address challenges people face—everything from infant cranial remoulding helmets to AFOs.

Andrew makes my AFOs, or ankle-foot orthoses. Due to MS-related foot drop, my right foot doesn't believe in itself. Andrew makes braces for me that help me to dorsiflex my foot through the "swing phase." Dorsiflexion is the motion that lifts the front of the foot--toes toward nose. You'll have to read the book to learn more about my AFOs and how I've come a long way in my AFO fashion choices. You might also find out why there's a reference to Phoebe from Friends in that chapter.

The Endorsement

I can say with absolute certainty that this is the first time I’ve laughed out loud while reading about orthotic devices. A delightful read for anyone interested in health care and the intersection of functionality and style—or simply looking to chuckle over some well-placed humour about life with mobility barriers and sweaty feet. Thank you, Robyn, for such a refreshing perspective on health care. Andrew McPhail, CO(c), BHK, Canadian Certified Orthotist

Andrew always asks about the progress of my book when I see him; he's shown sincere interest from my first mention of embarking on this writing project. Enthusiasm like that has been a fantastic motivator and an important affirmation. He even did a sincere LOL while reading the book. Thank you for taking such great care of me over the years, Andrew!

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