One step closer to a "normal life."
In this exclusive sneak peek at tomorrow's My Feet Are Killing Me, airing Aug. 11, Dr. Sarah Haller prepares to treat Rebecca, a 24-year-old patient with a rare genetic disease. "My next patient Rebecca has some of the most interesting feet I've seen," Dr. Haller tells the camera.
Rebecca is one of only eight people in the world to be diagnosed with Olmsted Syndrome, a disorder that causes a "callus pad and it doesn't really make a lot of sense," as Dr. Haller explains. "Her calluses, they're almost an inch thick. It's like having a stiletto permanently on your foot."
While in the waiting room with her mother, Rebecca admits that she's "nervous" to meet with Dr. Haller, but remains hopeful. "I'm ready to get some help," she says through tears. "It's been a long time coming."
Rebecca has been dealing with soreness, nerve pain, burning and itching. "The calluses make it feel like I'm walking on rocks," she confessed. "I can't sleep. There are times I wake up in the middle of the night, 10, 15 times because the pressure pains from it are excruciating at times. My condition is exhausting."
Olmsted Syndrome is a genetic disease, and Rebecca details her diagnosis after she started showing symptoms at age five.
By seven years old, she couldn't stand on her feet or walk; Rebecca was confined to a wheelchair througout high school. Now, she is ready to take the next step forward—preferably wearing sandals.
"That would be a dream come true," Rebecca jokes. "But I think what i'm really looking forward to is getting help so I can live a life, live a normal life. I'm tired of saying I can't because of my feet. I'm tired of being held back."
Will Dr. Haller be able to fix Rebecca's permanent "stilettos"?
Watch the heartbreaking clip above.
My Feet Are Killing Me airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on TLC.