Angawakho’s journey has been easier than I first expected!
Two-month old Angawakho was born in Kwa-Zulu Natal with bilateral clubfoot. Luckily, he was diagnosed early and he started as a patient at the Grey’s Hospital clubfoot clinic, which is supported by Steps clubfoot care.
Angawakho and his mom Khumalo travel for 20 minutes each way to reach the experts at the Grey’s Hospital clubfoot clinic in Pietermaritzburg, for treatment. Khumalo has faithfully brought her baby boy every week to the clinic for his casting and manipulation sessions, and she trusts in the Ponseti method to help her son lead a happy and healthy life. The casting sessions were successful, and at their latest visit, Angawakho was fitted with his first set of boots and bar, which he will wear every day for 23 hours for three months.
Khumalo shares her experience as a clubfoot parent so far:
Steps: When did you find out about your baby’s clubfoot?
Khumalo: The day he was born, the doctor told me.
Steps: How did you feel?
Khumalo: I felt very bad but gave it over to God.
Steps: What has the treatment been like for you and your family?
Khumalo: They have been supportive. My family believed that the casts would help so much. I’m happy that it has gone so well, it is a relief for us to see Angawakho’s feet looking so good now.
Steps: How did you find out about us?
Khumalo: When I met Phumzile at the clinic on my first visit. Phumzile took all our details which will be kept with our file for the doctors to use whenever we visit. (Phumzile is the Steps parent adviser and data capturer for the weekly clubfoot clinics held at Greys and Edendale Hospitals in Pietermaritzburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal). Phumzile explained everything to me and she was always there to encourage me to not give up.
Steps: What advice would you give other families going through a similar journey?
Khumalo: Angawakho’s journey so far has been easier than I first expected, and now today he has got his brace, so I will say, don’t be worried, if you have good treatment, your child will be fine.
Thanks Khumalo for sharing Angawakho’s story!
Steps thanks our generous donors for supporting our programme that improves the lives of so many children born with clubfoot.
