Access to early, consistent treatment is essential to prevent long-term disability from clubfoot, but for many families in remote parts of South Africa, this access is limited by distance, cost, and unemployment. Lara Visser’s story is a powerful example of how overcoming these challenges can change a child’s future.
Lara’s clubfoot journey began at Dr Harry Surtie Hospital in Upington, Northern Cape.
Her treatment started at six months old with the Ponseti method, but progress was slow.
Her feet were very stiff, and she required a referral to an orthopaedic surgeon after six
casting sessions.
Lara’s family lives over 50 kilometres from the clinic, and they began missing appointments. Like many families in the Northern Cape, they face long travel distances, unreliable public
transport, and high transport costs, often needing to leave home the day before their
appointment and stay overnight to reach the clinic on time.
When the clinic team followed up with the family, they were alarmed to find Lara walking on the sides of her feet. At two years and one month old, she had suffered a recurrence due
to interrupted care. Determined to give her the best chance, the team re-initiated
treatment using accelerated Ponseti.
Lara and her mother were able to stay nearby for six weeks with family in Upington. The clinic team adjusted their approach to change Lara’s casts weekly instead of every two weeks as is usual for older patients, allowing her to complete the casting phase effectively with minimal transport costs.
Today, Lara is walking comfortably and confidently, and her parents are overjoyed with her progress. She attends the clinic every three months for brace follow-up, supported by the dedicated team at Dr Harry Surtie Hospital.
Maritza Richter, Senior Occupational Therapist at the clinic says, “We live by the saying ‘rather earlier than later’. Travel and follow-up are major challenges for our patients, so we adapt. Accelerated Ponseti allows us to help children like Lara who might otherwise fall through the cracks.”
Lara’s story is one of hope, resilience, and what’s possible when clinic teams are resourced and committed to going the extra mile, literally and figuratively.
Thanks to donor support, children like Lara are receiving life-changing care despite enormous logistical barriers, proving that where you are born should not determine whether you can walk.
