Jersey Shore Alum Deena Cortese revealed her 1-year old has a condition that prevents him from properly wearing shoes after getting criticism from fans online.
This past Tuesday, the reality star took to Instagram to address recent backlash she’s received over her son CJ not wearing shoes in photos. Deena asked her followers to stop commenting and sending her direct messages about her son’s lack of footwear. She explained the 1-year old has a condition called metatarsus adductus, a common condition that causes the front part of the foot to grow inwards. She and her husband, Christopher Buckner, began noticing signs of the condition when CJ began walking at 10-months old.
The mother-of-one explained CJ will soon be getting fitted with braces to correct the problem. But for now, the little one is unable to properly wear shoes. “Unfortunately, his right foot has an extreme case and he literally cannot get a shoe on,” Deena wrote. “That is why CJ isn’t in shoes and just socks and booties.”
Deena went on to criticize her haters for their judgement. She emphasized that parents should aim to be supportive of other parents. While she said that she “appreciates the concerning messages,” she added that it’s taken a toll on her emotional wellbeing. Deena and Christopher welcomed baby CJ in January of 2019 – they celebrated his first birthday earlier this month! The proud parents have been married since 2016. They originally began dating in 2011 after meeting through mutual friends.
This past November, BabyGaga reported that Deena was struggling to balance motherhood with filming demands. Though the celebrity says she’s thrilled to be reunited with her Jersey Shore co-stars on their news spin-off, she explained that it’s tough being away from her baby boy.
“I want to just be with him 24-7, but at the same time this show gives him opportunities and I love being with my roommates. So, it’s such a double-edged sword, you know?” she originally told Us Weekly. But Deena went on to say that she knows the show is “good” for both her and her young son. “I can be mostly a stay at home mom,” she explained, adding that filming gives her an opportunity to travel and have more independence.
Sources: PEOPLE Magazine,