Little Hlaluminathi Gona is a seven month old baby boy who was born with bilateral clubfoot. He lives in Delft and is having treatment at Tygerberg Academic Hospital’s clubfoot clinic which is about forty five minutes travel time from his home.
His dad Sakhele Gona says, “When my son was one week old we took him to the day hospital after observing his feet for the first week. We felt something was not right. The day hospital referred us to the Tygerberg clubfoot clinic for an assessment and they confirmed that he had clubfoot.
It was a shock but also a relief because when we arrived at the Tygerberg clinic we met the Steps clinic coordinator who told us everything to expect for the journey ahead. We felt so relieved that our son’s feet were going to be okay.
Hlaluminathi ’s feet got better and straighter every week. He had eight plaster casts and now he has just received his first clubfoot brace. He must wear it at night until he is four years old to make sure his feet do not turn back in. But no more casting. I really cannot believe the difference in his feet in a matter of weeks.
The clubfoot team at Tygerberg were very helpful and welcoming. They gave us tea and coffee which allowed the parents to talk to each other and share their stories.
I would like to encourage parents to be responsible for your child’s treatment. Make sure that you take your child for treatment so they can have the best chance. Parents should be patient as it does not happen overnight, but the results are worth it.
As a father I’m so proud of my son, he has overcome his first problem in life. I’m hopeful for his future.
