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Screening Reaches Out to Community   After six months of intermittent, burning pain from plantar fasciitis Francine Marcello took notice of an advertisement for a free foot and ankle screening at the Oak Square YMCA. Cortisone shots and expensive orthotics hadn’t offered relief from the foot tissue inflammation, but she had limited time to research other options. With a four-year-old son and a part-time job as a pharmacist, Francine’s hectic schedule needed a convenient solution. “When you have a busy life, it’s easier when things come to you,” she said. Francine made an appointment for the screening with a physical therapist from Caritas St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center. While her son played in the Y’s babysitting area, the physical therapist analyzed Francine’s gait and tested her flexibility. “I never felt rushed during the appointment,” she said. After 15 minutes she walked away with written suggestions, including the specific type of shoe she should look for. Francine had always suspected that her footwear was wrong when she felt her feet sliding while doing squats in muscle conditioning classes. With the therapist’s recommendations in hand, she went to the New Balance outlet in Brighton and purchased two pairs of motion control shoes which have drastically reduced the pain in her feet. Having that access through the community-based screening means Francine is more comfortable on her feet – at work, at play and while exercising.