Joy Unleashed: Surgery Gives Twins Freedom to Run
After seeing twin brothers Eli and Elisée, it’s clear that joy is more than a feeling—it’s an attitude, a gift from God that’s not necessarily reflective of our circumstances. And both boys have a lot of it in their little bodies!
The boys’ mother, Viviane, was naturally concerned when she noticed their legs bowing out when they were two years old. Although people in their home country of Togo, West Africa, told her their legs would straighten eventually, their knees only bent out farther as they grew.
“People ridiculed my kids whenever we went for a walk or when I would send them out to play,” Viviane shared.
But despite stumbling due to their bowed legs, these boys never stopped trying to run. Enduring cruel taunts from their peers about how their legs bent out at their knees, they still played outside. With no help in sight for their condition, they kept bright smiles on their faces. All evidence of their joy-filled spirits.
Eli (left) and Elisée (right) at home. “The kids used to tell me, ‘Mom, take us to the hospital to fix our legs,’” Viviane says. “I would answer them, ‘How? I don’t have money for you to get healed.’ It wasn’t easy.”
Hope in a New Land
The twins begged to have their legs fixed, but Viviane knew surgery was financially impossible. A single mom to four kids—including the twins’ younger brothers, Godwin and Richmond—Viviane struggled to support them.
“We continued to pray to God to give us a chance to heal them,” she said.
Because the twins’ bowed legs were so severe, walking and running were difficult. It broke Viviane’s heart to see her boys ridiculed by their peers and unable to do what they loved: play football and attend school.
Trusting God, one day she packed up her family and journeyed hundreds of miles north of the Togo border to Niger, hoping for better employment and more opportunities for her family.
Viviane soon met a nurse from CURE Children’s Hospital of Niger (CURE Niger) who said the hospital’s highly skilled surgeons could fix Eli’s and Elisée’s bowed legs—at no cost to her!
At the hospital consultation, Viviane was reassured that she wouldn’t have to worry about surgical costs thanks to the generous support of CURE’s partners. This was a huge relief, and the boys were scheduled for life-changing surgery.
Eli and Elisée, of course, were thrilled. “I want both legs to be straightened,” Eli said. “The idea of that makes me happy, and I will be nice like other kids.”
Finding Healing at CURE
While healing from surgery, Eli (left) and Elisée enjoyed reading and playing with toys in the playroom. Through play and art therapy, CURE provides a safe environment for children to feel loved and respected.
At CURE Niger, the family felt welcomed and well cared for. Eli, the more communicative and boisterous twin, embraced the experience quickly. “I love this place!” Eli told CURE’s staff. “And I can play a lot.”
Elisée, who’s more quiet and reserved, was a little shy and nervous at first—but that didn’t last long. “We will play soccer when we are fully healed. Our mom said she will buy a ball for us!” he shared.
CURE’s doctors corrected one leg at a time, so each boy underwent two surgeries. While they were in casts recovering, they spent time doing crafts, listening to Bible stories, and exploring the toys in the hospital’s playroom.
Despite their post-operative pain and long recovery, the boys’ playful natures shone through, and they always wanted to play. “[Eli] doesn’t care about food or anything else. When he sees toys, even at home, it’s game over,” Viviane said with a laugh.
CURE Niger Orthopedic Surgeon and Medical Director, Dr. Fasto Yugusuk Ladu (right), surgically repairs Elisée’s bowed leg.
During their treatment at CURE, which took about eight months, Viviane’s faith grew stronger, thanks to the hospital’s compassionate and supportive staff.
Both boys underwent a series of castings to ensure their legs remained in the best position for optimal healing.
“Through the care of my children, I have realized that God has not let me down and He always opens a new door when you think there is no hope.”
The twins’ physical recovery took time, and their personalities were evident as they competed to reach each healing milestone. Who would stand up first? Who could go the farthest without the walker?
Perhaps the competition between the boys helped their healing. Either way, soon they were able to walk and run on straight legs—with no issues.
A Future Full of Possibility
When their treatment was finished, Viviane found a job, rented a small house, and enrolled her kids in a local school.
Today, the boys are looking toward the future and all they will be able to do now that their bowed legs are a thing of the past. “Now I can play football and be a doctor!” Eli said. “I will be a soldier who works on the airplanes!” Elisée declared.
Viviane is overjoyed to see the twins walking with straight legs and living their best lives. “Thanks to CURE Niger and all its partners, God has renewed the life of my children and my whole family.”
We’re grateful for our partners and supporters who keep joy alive for children like Eli and Elisée by making their life-changing surgeries possible!
