Karen Moss - CEO and Board Director

Karen Moss is the mother of Alexander, born with bilateral clubfoot in January 2003. After 8 weeks of casting below the knee, Alex faced corrective surgery at 3 months. The procedure was to take 3-4 hours per foot, 6 weeks in casts, removing pins under anaesthesia and possible repeat surgery due to scar tissue hindering natural development of his feet. Alex's future seemed to be one of potential lifelong discomfort from arthritis, weak ankles and stiff feet with limited mobility.

Unwilling to commit to surgery and frustrated by the lack of information for parents of clubfoot babies, Karen researched clubfoot treatment on the internet. She found Dr Ponseti, an 89-year-old orthopaedic surgeon based in Iowa USA. Dr Ponseti developed a non-invasive treatment for clubfoot in the 1950's that was 95% successful for congenital clubfoot. This is in direct contrast to over 80% surgery rate for other casting methods. Karen flew with her husband and baby Alex to Iowa. Within 16 days, Alex's twisted clubfeet were 100% straight - before his scheduled surgery date - corrected without surgery or pain. Today, Alex is an active 5 year old. His feet are flexible, pain-free and strong. They have full range of motion, with no scar tissue or hindered development. .

When asked why more people didn't know about his method and why there were no Ponseti trained doctors in South Africa after 50 years of success with his treatment, Dr Ponseti said: "It's the parents who get the doctors to use my method". This inspired Karen to bring his method to South Africa, ultimately leading to STEPS Charity.

Karen is a magazine columnist, author and businesswoman. Her website www.clubfoot.co.za launched in November 2003. Within 2 years, her site had over 50,000 worldwide hits and pages were translated into Spanish, Portuguese, Norwegian, Swedish, Hebrew, Mandarin and Bulgarian. South African and UK surgeons recommend the website for parents of babies with clubfoot.

Karen has generated media coverage on TV, Radio and print. The publicity has a direct effect on the quality of life for many children. Parents of babies scheduled for surgery were able to cancel it when they found out about the Ponseti Method. Karen is passionate about STEPS and works to raise awareness and funds. She answers queries through her website, providing information and emotional support for parents in South Africa and other countries. She updates and finances the website. She works with doctors to improve clubfoot treatment in both the private and public health care sector..

Dr Mark Eltringham - Orthopaedic Surgeon

Dr Mark Eltringham is a Paediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Sunninghill Clinic, Johannesburg. He was the first South African surgeon to train formally in the Ponseti Method in the USA in September 2003 and is a valuable member of the board.

Dr Eltringham is a highly regarded expert in paediatric orthopaedic surgery, having worked at the Johannesburg Hospital and trained many other surgeons in various surgery procedures. He keeps in touch with international medical trends and travels for training in specialised methods, pioneering these methods in South Africa.

Mark Eltringham does pro bono work at clinics to help treat clubfoot in underprivileged patients and works with other surgeons wanting to learn the Ponseti and other new methods. He works with Karen on raising publicity and gives talks on treatments. He is concerned with correct medical protocol and the importance of having standardised treatment provided to babies and children. He is a great asset to Steps Charity and will help our cause within the medical fraternity where he has influence.

Thabiso Sikwane - Media and Government

Thabiso Sikwane is the host of SAFM Afternoon Talk, a radio talk show broadcast nationally Mondays to Fridays. She has extensive radio and television experience and MC's at corporate functions. Thabiso has been involved with publicity for Steps Charity from the beginning. She has seen the process of Alex's treatment and its success. This has been her inspiration to help other children affected by clubfoot and other lower limb disorders.

The South African black population has an incidence of clubfoot that is 3 times the world average, which is approximately 1:750. There is a dire need to get this method better known and into more state hospitals and rural areas. This is the area where Thabiso is very valuable to Steps Charity. Because of her high media profile and community interests, she has many influential contacts in media, government (including the health department) and other NGO's. Through her media contacts and expertise, Thabiso is committed to helping Steps Charity increase awareness and raise funds through her contacts.

Jennifer Harding - Health Plan Policy, Research and Marketing

Jennifer has a corporate background in large medical schemes and corporate consulting on medical plans. Her skills are in marketing, research for health guidelines and sponsorship development.

Diane Zeller - Children's Physiotherapist

Diana is a practising physiotherapist specialising in children, particularly with mobility problems. She has access to physiotherapists and podiatrists who attend workshops and ultimately become partners in education on treatments for children with clubfoot and other lower limb disorders.

Steve Moss - Board Director and Business Advisor

Steve is Alex's father and MD of an Broadcast and Entertainment Technology consultancy. As Business Advisor, he provides Steps with management and and strategic skills.

Celia Champion – Corporate Liaison and Management

Celia has managed a division of a corporate company. Her corporate skills and business contacts assist with STEPS general management, corporate governance, business plan and establishing ties with organisations that are of benefit to us.