Clubfoot - Give the gift of mobility

When Thomas was born with clubfeet, his mother was afraid; because she didn't know how he would ever walk or go to school.

Thomas and his mother Lolisea.
Photo: CCBRT.

Clubfoot affects 1 child in every 1,000 born around the world, and 80% of these live in some of the poorest countries, resulting in adults growing up with the pain, isolation and limited mobility of untreated clubfoot.

Always bubbly and smiling, Thomas (aged 2), learned to walk on the outside edges of his feet, but as he grew it became more difficult for him to walk.

Thomas' mother Lolisea was finding it incredibly hard to save enough money to be able to take him to a doctor.

She didn't know where to turn to help her son, and left it in God's hands.

"Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble." Psalm 41:1 (NIV)

While visiting her parents at Dar es Salaam, Thomas' mother heard on the radio that CBM could treat children with clubfoot under the age of five at no cost to the family, at the CBM-supported CCBRT hospital.

Imagine if she hadn't ever discovered there was hope for her son.

I saw other children looking happy, wearing proper shoes and walking well. The mothers told me that their children had been like Thomas before treatment and that I should not worry." - Thomas' mother Lolisea

Due to his specific condition, Thomas required surgery initially, before having to spend six weeks in plaster casts.
Thomas was then fitted with splints that will need replacing as he grows. He'll have to wear them for at least two years.

The good news is that once beyond this course of therapy, Thomas should be able to walk normally and without pain, and live a full and independent life.

He will be able to walk to school, just as his mother hoped.

If a child's clubfoot is treated as early as possible (as a baby, ideally) surgery isn't usually required; Ponseti treatment using plaster casts is usually enough to correct the clubfoot.
It is essential to be able to treat babies as soon as possible.

will train a fieldworker to provide Ponseti treatment
will treat a child with clubfoot and give the gift of mobility.

Today, more children and adults await treatment and rehabilitation for clubfoot than have ever been treated. Whatever gift you can make, it will undoubtedly change lives.