First of all, I live in the States, and have now been disabled since 2009.  I’d fallen and dislocated my left knee, and severed my peroneal nerve, resulting in Zenker’s Palsy, which manifested itself as foot drop.  I’ve had several surgeries since then to provide as close to normalcy as possible.  I do wear an AFO most of the time, and find it very rare to meet others with a similar disability.