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This is one of our clubfoot patients, Angel Jose. He lights up with smiles when he sees the camera — I just love him!
These pictures were taken at a recent CURE Clubfoot Worldwide (CCW) training event in Bengaluru, India.
CURE Clubfoot Worldwide (CCW) recently held a training session in Danli, Honduras. It was organized with the assistance of Dr. Ruben Zepeda, who works in the public hospital in Danli. Three nurses and 13 doctors participated, learning the Ponseti method for treating clubfoot. The training was led by Dr. Vasquez and Dr. Bridgeman, both of CURE Honduras in San Pedro Sula, which is about a seven-hour drive north of Danli.
A chronic disability can quickly turn celebration into mourning, turn daughters into servants, and can shroud proud parents in shame.
Nine-year-old Almaz Sahelu was born in Gurage region in Ethiopia, in Cheza village. She is the third born for her family.
Almaz was born with clubfeet. Her parents were devastated when they saw the condition of their daughter; they only blamed themselves. Her father, Sahilu, thought that his daughter’s legs were twisted because of his and his wife’s sin. He was overcome with guilt and said, “We were ashamed (to show our daughter to) our neighbors because they would consider us sinners and cursed people by God. We feared becoming outcasts from our villagers. We showed her condition to only close family members.” Read the rest of this entry »
Today in clinic we had two cases in which the kids had previous treatment for their club feet at other hospitals, yet both had no improvement. Thankfully, they were both directed to CURE and are now receiving proper treatment for their club feet! Read the rest of this entry »
The week of 8 August 2011, I visited AIC CURE International Children’s Hospital of Kenya in Kijabe. It is the hospital at which I served when my family and I lived in Kijabe from 1997 till 2000. It has changed in numerous ways.
When I started was there, we had five expatriates from North America serving in the capacities of Executive Director, Medical Director, Orthopedic Surgeon, Director of Rehab Department, and Director of General Services. Today, all those positions are filled by Kenyans who are as qualified as any of us from before, if not more so. Read the rest of this entry »
Iris Devadason has always loved to paint. Time for art was limited, though, while raising two children and holding down a full time career as a professor of English. Now retired, she has devoted her time to her art. Undisturbed by other distractions, Iris is finding great joy in focusing on her painting. She has also found a cause she can support with her art — CURE Clubfoot Karnataka.
Santosh George had Iris as a professor in school. Now the Regional Manager for Asia of CURE Clubfoot Worldwide, Santosh approached Iris about partnering with CURE Clubfoot to raise both awareness of the many children suffering from the condition as well as funds to help cover their treatment. Iris was glad to be a part of the work CURE was doing. “I learned that these children are neglected and go through a lot of mental agony, as they don’t receive proper medical treatment and attention. So, I decided to do something for them through my paintings,” said Iris.
The artist has found inspiration in the lives of famous artists who suffered from clubfoot, notably the English poet, Lord Byron, and the French painter, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. Iris found even greater inspiration in the stories of clubfoot children who have been treated by CURE — children who have gone from anguish to healing. She has produced a collection of works that reflect that story. Capturing both disappointment and hope, sorrow and joy, the paintings of Iris help the observer understand the tortured existence of clubfoot children before treatment, as well as their incredible experience of finding healing.
Iris has titled her exhibit “Walk in Beauty,” and it first went on display in December of 2010. A second showing took place in April of this year. Money raised by the sale of the paintings goes to treatment and care of children through CURE Clubfoot Karnataka.
Iris’ work has already begun to have an impact. The opening of one of her exhibitions drew the attention of the State Commissioner for Disability, K.V. Rajanna, who praised both Iris and CURE for taking the initiative to treat children with clubfoot. Her exhibits have also been supported by the state government and the Rotary club.
Learn more about Iris Devadason’s works at http://iris-devadason.fineartamerica.com/.
A year and a half ago, a deadly earthquake shattered lives in Haiti. The CURE Clubfoot program in that country was shattered as well, but it was quickly re-established and is once again bringing healing to children throughout Haiti. Recently, Dr. Robert Cady, Co-Medical Director of CURE Clubfoot in Haiti, and Mr. John Mitchell, of MD Orthopaedics (a designer of braces used in the treatment of clubfoot), visited that country, joining Kendy Bellegarde, country coordinator of CURE Clubfoot in Haiti, to see the program in action and lend a hand as they went. Below are pictures from their journey. Read the rest of this entry »
I must confess that I have a weakness for pleasant, lively, smiling children. Every time I see a child smile it melts my heart. Over the past couple of days, I spent time with two of the cutest little boys to come through CURE Zambia since I started working at the organization. Their names are Cosmas and Samson, and this is their story. Read the rest of this entry »
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