Sisipho’s story is one of hope. Sisipho was born in a small village in KwaZulu Natal to mom, Sithandile.
“After my son was delivered, the doctor who examined him noticed that both of his feet looked deformed”, says Sithandile. “He told me that my baby had bilateral clubfoot, which means in both feet.”
This was a very emotional piece of news to be told at such a happy time. Sithandile’s initial response was: “My son is now a cripple.”
However, little Sisipho was referred to one of our clubfoot clinic partners – Greys Clubfoot Clinic in Pietermaritzburg, where his clubfoot treatment commenced. Sisipho and Sithandile travelled two hours to the clinic every week to have his plaster casts applied. It was a financial and emotional hardship for the family, but Sithandile persevered, wanting the best for her son.
“In the beginning, my family and I were scared and unsure,” says Sithandile, “but once I started seeing my baby’s feet correcting and improving with each cast, I started to have faith in the treatment.”
Sisipho’s treatment has been going extremely well. His feet are flexible and straight and he sleeps with his clubfoot brace every night. Sithandile told us that the support and encouragement she gets from the Steps clubfoot co-ordinator Phumzile at the clinic has really helped her to understand the treatment and given her hope for her son. She beautifully said: “the clinic staff have become like friends and family.”
Sisipho and Sithandile’s story is an important one as it highlights that clubfoot can be treated. No matter where you live, there is help and good treatment available. Sithandile’s advice to parents is: “It is a stressful journey, especially at the beginning when you do not know what to expect, but do not lose hope and your child’s feet will be normal within a matter of months. I am so proud of my son and now I have hope for his future.”
