When I was a child, my Dad encouraged me to go barefoot. Since I was born clubfooted and had to wear braces to straighten my legs and feet out, when I got them off, the docs wanted me to wear special supportive shoes. My Dad said no way! He wanted me to go barefoot because it would strengthen my ankles, whereas the shoes would keep them weak. Well, it worked. He was a smart cookie. It seems that going barefoot is good, not only for strengthening one’s ankles, but for helping boost immunity to disease.