Meet Shayaan Jacobs, a vibrant 4-year-old who runs, plays, and LOVES soccer. But Shayaan’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. When he was born with bilateral clubfoot, his mom, Gafsa, was overwhelmed. Like many parents, Gafsa hadn’t heard of clubfoot before and felt overwhelmed by the unknown.
“I was emotional because I didn’t know what clubfoot even was,” Gafsa recalls.
But her first visit to the clubfoot clinic at Maitland Cottage Children’s Hospital was a turning point. “The staff were very helpful, very concerned, and they care a lot about their patients. That gave me hope.”
Under the expert care of the Maitland Cottage and later the Red Cross clubfoot clinic teams, Shayaan began his treatment journey using the Ponseti Method. This highly effective, non-invasive approach involves gentle manipulation, casting, and bracing to correct the feet.
While the process was not without its challenges, Gafsa found support every step of the way—not just from the clinics but also from her family.
Today, Shayaan is an active, joyful four-year-old who loves to run, play, and kick a soccer ball around with boundless energy.
“My son had a very happy clubfoot journey,” Gafsa says proudly. “He is a VERY busy child, and we embrace the fact that he walks, runs, and loves to play soccer. I am beyond grateful for all the support we’ve received over the past four years.”
Her advice for parents? For Gafsa, faith and trust were critical. “Do not be afraid,” she advises other parents. “It’s hard not to be emotional at first, but know and believe that these doctors have successfully treated so many children before your child. It may be hard to look at your baby’s foot and believe it will be okay, but trust and have faith in the journey.”
Shayaan is now unstoppable, proving that with the right care, clubfoot is no barrier to an active, joy-filled life.
Let’s celebrate Shayaan, his amazing care teams and family, and his unstoppable spirit!
