Maybe I should have gone to Farrier school...

You forget how disturbing some images can be after you've seen it for years.

My wife used to go with me back in the good old days when drug reps were allowed to have dinners and a speaker for us at a nice restaurant. But after two or three presentations on antibiotics and ulcer care (with disgusting slides with photos of infections and foot ulcers), my wife refused to tag along even to the nicest restaurants.

On one of those nights I was alone, a heart surgeon from India sat next to me. He ordered a HUGE filet mignon. When it arrived he cut it neatly in half and asked me if I'd take it home.

He said with a wink that he and his wife were good Hindus and never ate meat, so he probably shouldn't take it home himself.

 

Benign neglect? Embarrassment? Fear that getting them cared for will hurt? Sometimes mental illness.

Lots of reasons, primarily that they just can't do it themselves any more and they're too proud and embarrassed to ask anyone for help.

 

Kudos to you Brian, for being in the profession and taking care of folks like that old timer.
I love my feet, I don't think I could have that happen to me but you never know. I lost the 'being proud' part years ago, I'm not afraid to ask when I need help with something.