The 'General Hospital' star reflected on wearing leg braces as a child due to a degenerative bone disease.
Cameron Mathison, known for his role on General Hospital, shared that he was "bullied" as a child because he wore leg braces similar to those worn by Forrest Gump. Mathison, now 54, opened up about his childhood experience on Cheryl Burke's podcast, Sex, Lies and Spray Tans.
"We all have our childhood stuff that sticks with us," said the All My Children alum. "That's definitely mine."
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Diagnosed with Legg Calve Perthes disease at just 2 years old, Mathison experienced a condition where the blood supply to the hip is disrupted, causing the bone to begin dying, as described by the Mayo Clinic.
Although recent studies suggest that braces are no longer recommended for this bone disorder, Mathison, who had the disease in both hips, had to wear a large metal frame brace on his legs for four years, both day and night. "Sleeping in the braces was the hardest part," he recalled.
He likened his braces to those worn by Forrest Gump, but noted that his were more rigid and extended out, requiring crutches in both the front and back. "I had to lift myself up, swing forward, land, then move my crutches and repeat. That's how I walked."
Mathison wore the braces until he was 7, which he described as formative years. "I was the kid mothers told their children not to stare at. I was bullied and made fun of," he shared.
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His earliest memory is being diagnosed with the disease. "I remember my mom coming out of the doctor's office with tears in her eyes, and I didn't know why," he said.
The only time the braces came off was for baths. "I was lowered into the bath and then put back in the brace," he explained.
Reflecting on his teenage years, Mathison said he tried to "overcompensate" by excelling in sports, academics, and social life. "I tried to make up for that subconscious identification as a disabled kid."
Now, the Dancing with the Stars alum expresses gratitude for the experience. "I think it's made me a lot more compassionate, sensitive, and empathetic towards others," he said.
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Looking back at photos from that time, Mathison said, "I had a big smile on my face, and I think, 'That kid's awesome. Way to go.'"
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