miraclefeet

Feet First: Designing a Brace for Worldwide Use

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 14:09:00 -0400

Early on it became very clear to us at miraclefeet that for many parents and clinicians one of the biggest hurdles to treating clubfoot on a global scale was the lack of an easy to use, low cost brace. In order to increase access to clubfoot treatment around the world, “boots and bars” needed to be tackled head on—without an effective brace, children look at a much higher chance of relapse.

Fortunately, miraclefeet has been able to interest a broad range of partners to tackle the problem, including Stanford University’s Hasso Platner Institute of Design who dove—feet first—into creating an affordable, accessible clubfoot brace.

An initial prototype of the Miracle Brace, much revised today

The Need for a New Brace

In the United States, the most commonly used braces are designed for optimal ease and comfort. Shoes fitted to the patient’s feet snap on and off the bar, allowing mom and dad to easily fit their child’s feet in the brace. The only problem: they can cost upwards of $350. While manageable in the United States, where insurance often covers some of the cost, for families in Ecuador, Liberia or Brazil, the cost is just too high.

A designer named Michiel Steenbeek has attempted to combat brace cost limitations, developing a simple, inexpensive brace. His brace was initially created for use in Uganda but is now used extensively in Africa, India and Bangladesh.

While the brace is very simple to create, it poses challenges for clinics and parents. A workshop must be set up to construct the braces at every location they are used. And while Steenbeck’s braces work well, they can be difficult for parents to use—and the brace’s manual adjustments allow the mother or child to accidentally bend the brace, disrupting treatment.

To sustain clinics in eight countries (and growing)—clinics that are free to patients—miraclefeet leaders recognized quickly that the best of both braces was needed: effective and cost efficient.

“Early on, miraclefeet decided it was key to provide an off-the-shelf, standardized, low cost, easy to use and attractive brace to clinics,” said Chesca Colloredo-Mansfeld, miraclefeet executive director.

Enter Stanford

In 2011, miraclefeet partnered with Dr. Mike North, a San Francisco designer, to begin the initial stages of working on a brace design. North later went on to found the NGO ReAllocate, a global network of engineers, designers and entrepreneurs that inspire and aid communities through technology and innovation.

Dr. Mike North and miraclefeet test an initial brace prototype in Nicaragua, 2011.

The brace project was then picked up by Stanford’s Hasso Platner Institute of Design and the school’s class “Design for Extreme Affordability,” as recently profiled on CNN. It is here that miraclefeet’s brace project really took off.

While their session of “Design for Extreme Affordability” ended in June 2012, one team’s investment in the brace design project was far from over. Graduate engineering students Jeffrey Yang and Ian Connolly received two significant grants from Stanford University to continue working on the project.

Ian Connolly presents a Miracle Brace prototype at a Ponseti Conference in Iowa

Their team—comprised of design, medical, engineering and business students—traveled to Brazil, spending time in clinics, family homes and orthotics and prosthetics manufacturing companies to gauge the needs and resources for an innovative brace design.

“While in Brazil, I spent a great deal of time meeting with physicians, patients and their families, and that’s when I truly began to understand the daily struggle that families go through during the bracing process,” says Yang. “As a designer and engineer, I knew I could create a brace to improve the experience for parents and children alike while targeting a price point that would reach even those most in need.”

Jeffrey Yang discusses the Miracle Brace with miraclefeet Executive Director and clubfoot experts at a Ponseti Conference

Collaboration Across Boundaries

Since then Clarks Shoes, leading shoe manufacturer and retailer, and a significant corporate donor to miraclefeet, has gotten involved, providing an extraordinary amount of time designing and prototyping the brace. As one of the world’s leading designers of shoes, Clarks has provided invaluable expertise ensuring that the shoe component of the brace is comfortable and meets the needs of its infant and young wearers.

Suncast, a major plastics manufacturer in Illinois, has also been instrumental in the brace development, providing pro bono design time to optimize the brace for low cost manufacturing.

In addition, the brace design team and miraclefeet have benefitted tremendously from pro bono services provided by intellectual property lawyer Tim Smith of King & Spalding.

miraclefeet’s brace design project has been an incredible collaboration among private, corporate, non-profit and educational partners.

What’s Next?

Thanks to the expertise of all of these partners, miraclefeet is now producing prototypes for clinical tests in the United States, Brazil, South Africa and India, countries home to miraclefeet-sponsored clinics. Ultimately, these prototypes will help achieve the goal of a brace that costs less than $20 to manufacture, with greatly enhanced functionality and ease of use compared to braces currently employed in many developing countries.

“The treatment process for clubfoot is so straightforward that there’s really no reason any child should have to live a lifetime with such a debilitating condition” says Yang.

miraclefeet expects to be producing these cost-efficient, user-friendly braces by the end of 2013.

Donor Story: Thanks Nathan!

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:18 -0400

Nathan was born with clubfoot. Like in many cases, it didn’t show up in the ultrasound. While a shock, the biggest surprise for Nathan’s family was how effective and painless clubfoot treatment has been.

Nathan’s feet at birth (Photo courtesy of F.A.L. Design)

After beginning Ponseti treatment at four weeks old and wearing his brace for 23 hours per day for three months, just like miraclefeet patients in Central and South America, Africa and Asia, Nathan’s mother Lauren happily reports that he is now “running, jumping, climbing and bouncing around like a normal two year old!”

Nathan wearing his brace

With such a successful treatment experience and joyous results, Nathan’s parents were looking for a way to give back. After giving away Nathan’s first ‘boots and bar’ to a family in Michigan through the Clubfoot Shoe Exchange, Nathan’s family discovered miraclefeet.

And so it was that Nathan did big things on his 2^nd birthday. In lieu of gifts, Nathan asked (through mom and dad) his friends and family to donate money to miraclefeet. We were extremely thankful for the support and donations, 100% of which went directly to clubfoot treatment for children around the world.

Nathan with his family

Nathan and his family plan to continue this special tradition for his birthday every year.

“We are happy to help another child walk,” says Lauren. “It is such an easy and painless treatment process that it saddens us for anyone to have to suffer from not being treated.”

Thanks Nathan!

Nathan today!

——————-

We’d love to hear your donation stories! Share them with us at leslie.loyd@miraclefeet.org.

Or donate today! https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1001406

Meet the Staff: Richard

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:12:00 -0400

Meet Richard, our new Director of Programs! Although Richard joined miraclefeet only a few weeks ago, he has already hit the ground running, visiting and assessing clinics in Nicaragua and China. With a sharp sense of humor and knack for languages, Richard will continue to expand miraclefeet’s programs and increase access to clubfoot treatment worldwide.

Where are you from originally/where did you grow up?

I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My parents still live in western Pennsylvania.

How did you get started with miraclefeet?

I had been working overseas for more than sixteen years and was anxious to find US-based work that continued to actively engage me on international development issues.

How have your first few weeks been with miraclefeet?

Terrific! It is very rewarding work and a great team of colleagues. I also really enjoy working with partners in a range of countries, some of which I already know very well and others which are new to me.

What do you love about your job?

While I am proud of all of the many overseas jobs that I have had to date, this is the first time that I have had such regular contact with and exposure to actual beneficiaries. The activities that we support through our partners really do make such a positive difference in the lives of the children we assist and their families. I love to follow their stories and see the photographic evidence of how they are progressing in life.

What are some of your favorite hobbies outside of work?

I love photography, reading, working out at the gym, finding new restaurants, theater, movies – lots of things!

Where is your favorite place you have traveled?

I think it is fair to say that I enjoy travel as a general principle and I have never been to a place where I did not enjoy myself, but I have a special fondness for Brazil. It’s hard to explain – I just really enjoy the people and the culture.

What is your favorite movie?

I love movies of all kinds, and am the sort of person who basically ends up seeing everything eventually…? “What is my FAVORITE movie” – hmmmmm, that is a very hard question – I definitely like twistier movies, so maybe “Mulholland Drive” by David Lynch, if I had to choose? Ask me tomorrow and I will tell you something else!

Read any good books lately?

I am an avid and eclectic reader. I tend to read up on whatever country I am working on or in (I read everything I could on the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Africa’s Great Lakes region when I was there last year, just as I had read everything on Liberia when I was there before that.) I definitely get on kicks with authors – the most recent was Gore Vidal, whose “Julian” I found amazing. I also really enjoyed his “Narratives of Empire,” although I must say that “Burr” and “Lincoln” really stand out among the seven books in the series.

From Nicaragua: The Importance of Parents

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:16:57 -0400

“I feel good here because the doctor is very patient with my son. That’s so comforting for me as a mother, to see that they treat my child with affection and love.” -Bruce’s mom

Support from parents is so important to treating clubfoot. While our partnering doctors and nurses thoroughly and efficiently treat patients, the real work happens at home.

Kids must return for new casts each week.

Once casting is completed, for three months they need to wear their braces 23 hours per day. Then braces are worn only during naps and at night until they age of four or five.

These children are often very young, maybe even only a few months. So much of the responsibility falls on mom and dad to make sure their kids are completing treatment and wearing their braces.

And Bruce, a 7 month old patient in treatment at a miraclefeet partner clinic in Leon, Nicaragua, is very lucky to have parents who exemplify this commitment. Since discovering miraclefeet’s clinic, Bruce and his parents have not missed one appointment. Bruce’s mother and father come to the clinic with him every Wednesday and stay at his side while he gets casted, sharing the love that only a parent can give.

And Bruce’s doctor is committed too. Dr. Balladares in Nicaragua even came in to the clinic on his week of vacation to change casts for his Ponseti patients. Like Bruce’s parents, Dr. Balladares goes above and beyond to ensure treatment is successful. “I feel good here because the doctor is very patient with my son. That’s so comforting for me as a mother, to see that they treat my child with affection and love,” said Bruce’s mom.

With the devotion of his parents and doctor, Bruce will be walking, running and playing someday very soon.

Meet miraclefeet's Board of Directors

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:34:00 -0400

miraclefeet co-founder Bridget with the managing director of CURE International India Trust

We often share stories and updates about the incredible children, parents, nurses and doctors we have met across the world. And we’ve even introduced you to several members of our office. But who is at work behind-the-scenes, actively setting a meaningful course for the future of clubfoot treatment?

Meet the men and women behind miraclefeet’s Board of Directors.

THE BEGINNING

Twelve years ago, Roger Berman and Bridget Ryan Berman were worried when their son was born with clubfoot. Like many in the United States and around the world, they weren’t familiar with the Ponseti Method, at the time not widely known or practiced.

Fortunately, the Bermans quickly learned of the non-surgical Ponseti Method, pioneered by Dr. Ignacio Ponseti of the University of Iowa. With the careful attention of his doctor Joshua Hyman, newly trained in the Ponseti Method, the Berman’s infant son was successfully treated for clubfoot. Today, he walks, runs, plays multiple sports and is a healthy, active twelve-year old boy.

Roger and Bridget felt lucky that their child had access to safe, affordable and very effective treatment, and they asked themselves—why shouldn’t every child have access to the Ponseti Method? And their doctor Dr. Hyman wondered the same thing.

So together Roger, a veteran of the textile and manufacturing industries and current supply chain consultant for U.S. and Chinese retail companies; Bridget, CEO of Victoria’s Secret Direct; Josh Hyman, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, and Dr. Jose Morcuende, orthopedic surgeon and leading clubfoot expert from the University of Iowa, created miraclefeet. They were joined by Rodger Raderman, whose daughter was also successfully treated with the Ponseti Method. Rodger remains an advisor to the organization.

miraclefeet Co-founder Richard visiting the Wadia clinic in India

TODAY

As miraclefeet has grown, so has the Board of Directors.

Chesca Colloredo-Mansfeld, who learned of the Ponseti Method while working at the Univeristy of Iowa, home of Dr. Ponseti, had also become interested in the issue of increasing access to treatment in developing countries. She connected with the group just as the miraclefeet plan was hatched and helped develop the implementation strategy. Chesca joined the Board when she became the miraclefeet Executive Director in 2011. Jennifer Tye, who lives in San Francisco and serves as the Associate Director of Genentech

From Nicaragua: A Mother's Love

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 10:00:29 -0500

His mother traveled five hours by foot and crowded bus, skipping meals and fighting nausea, all to get her son treatment.

Wilder, now three years old, was born with bilateral clubfoot. As an infant, he was casted to correct clubfoot in his hometown. But there were no results, as is often the case when children are improperly casted. Wilder’s mother was hesitant to try treatment again.

But her friend convinced her to give treatment one more chance. With her friend’s encouragement, Wilder’s mother agreed to travel, for the first time in her life, to Nicaragua’s capital, to consult with a doctor professionally trained in the Ponseti Method.

Upon seeing the improvement in Wilder’s feet, his mother was determined to complete treatment, meaning weekly visits to Managua. It also meant severe nausea for Wilder’s mother, who struggled with the long, cramped bus rides from San Lorenzo-Boaca to Managua.

And it meant sacrificing for her son’s well-being. On one occasion when Dr. Sequeira, a partnering practitioner with miraclefeet, finished casting Wilder, his mother suddenly fainted. Only then did she admit that she had not eaten anything that week, so that she could afford transportation for her son to visit the clubfoot clinic.

These are the sacrifices the devoted, caring parents make—and this is how important clubfoot treatment is. And for Wilder’s mother, it is all worth it watch her son joyfully walk towards her on beautifully corrected feet.

Blocks and Bars: Navigating the Public Health System

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:50:00 -0500

You feel an itch in your throat or a pain in an ankle. You trek to the emergency room or make an appointment at the doctor’s office, perhaps sitting for an extended time in a waiting room filled with magazines and fish tanks. Such is the medical treatment process for many in the United States.

But what is this same process like for people in Liberia or Mexico or even Peru? Sadly, too often the frustrations we face are minor obstacles compared to the long and frustrating process of receiving health care in many parts of the world.

Zoraida’s experience as a sixteen-year old Peruvian suffering from severe clubfoot is just one example of how difficult it is to navigate the public health system. miraclefeet first met Zoraida through a caring group of donors—Triangle United Soccer Association’s U-14 women’s team. The team traveled to Peru to work alongside and empower young girls, one of whom was Zoraida. Inspired to help her get treatment, miraclefeet has taken a special interest in Zoraida’s case.*

And since miraclefeet does not operate clinics in Peru, it hasn’t been easy. Previously unable to afford medical care, when Zoraida’s parents received funds from the Triangle United soccer team, they were initially concerned that treatment wasn’t Zoraida’s best option. Clubfoot treatment inappropriately applied can hurt rather than help—one reason trainings and clinic support are so important. But miraclefeet arranged for Zoraida to meet with Peru’s premiere surgeon, and her parents understood this was their daughter’s greatest hope to ever walk. Zoraida’s school principal even flew to Lima with Zoraida and her mother.

Zoraida suffers from severe clubfoot.

But the obstacles would not abate. First she was told she needed a blood test. The next day a TB test. Then an x-ray. All of which she must leave her hostel at 3am in order to get a spot in line.

What Zoraida’s family thought would take three days, to arrive, go into surgery, and be discharged, turned into more than a one month stay in Peru’s capital, far from Zoraida’s home. Families who travel for health care often struggle to find extended accommodations, regularly living in cramped rooms with inadequate resources, and Zoraida’s experiences were no exception. For a family who had never been to the city and whose livelihood requires attention at home, the experience was overwhelming. Had it not been for Zoraida’s principal and her help, the family would have likely given up.

Zoraida’s experiences are troubling. Even with concentrated attention from an educator, a non-profit and a nationally renowned surgeon, and in a country with a public health system like Peru, Zoraida was denied quick treatment. Imagine her chances without this help. In countries without established clubfoot clinics, this imaginary scenario is too often reality.

That is why we feel our work is so important. miraclefeet is committed to making treatment readily available, with streamlined procedures and reliable schedules. By partnering with public hospitals and local doctors, miraclefeet is bringing affordable clinics to countries around the world. Without these clinics in Liberia…India…Mexico…Nicaragua, patients are left to fight for treatment in a crowded system. We are devoted to ensuring that no one gets lost in this system and every child has access to clubfoot treatment.

STEPS Forward: A miraclefeet Partnership

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 14:45:00 -0500

“It’s difficult to convey the emotion one feels when you see a child who has suffered from clubfoot walk normally. To see the look of hope and reassurance on mom’s, dad’s, aunty’s, uncle’s or even grandmother’s face when they start to see results is something you get addicted to and to be a part of making that happen is just incredible. I foresee miraclefeet and STEPS making magic happen!”

-Gaby, STEPS Coordinator

One of the ways miraclefeet effectively and sustainably provides clubfoot treatment around the world is by collaborating with incredible in-country partners. While our supporters constantly see the tremendous effects of these partners’ work through our photos and stories, they often don’t know about the people and organization’s behind the incredible transformations happening in clubfoot patients from Brazil to Botswana.

STEPS South Africa

So we want to introduce you to STEPS Southern Africa, miraclefeet’s partner in South Africa and Botswana. STEPS was founded in 2005 by Karen Moss, a mother whose child was born with clubfoot. After Karen’s child was successfully treated with the Ponseti Method, she wanted create STEPS to facilitate formal introduction and training of the Ponseti Method.

Partnership

And by partnering with miraclefeet, STEPS has been able to work steadily toward that goal. “The support we get from the partnership has helped us to build the infrastructure we need to support clinics,” says Karen. “We have already directly affected patients’ lives at clinics by supplying braces where before the brace supply was erratic.”

Partnering with miraclefeet also gives STEPS the freedom to focus on what really matters—the children. “It is amazing to have the level of support we have from miraclefeet. A lot of NGO’s are so heavily reliant on fundraising and when that is the focus, it can often take away from what is really important, getting the word, and in our case treatment and support, out there,” says Gaby, STEP’s Coordinator.

Since 2005, Karen and STEPS have come along way. Here is a brief timeline of how together, miraclefeet and STEPS have helped make Ponseti the gold-standard of treatment for clubfoot in South Africa.

2003

Karen’s son Alex is born.

2006

STEP SA hosts its first training to introduce the Ponseti Method to the South African Orthopedics community.

2007

After the first training was a huge success, STEPS hosts its second training to gain consensus from doctors that the Ponset Method is the proper treatment for clubfoot.

Since these trainings, the Ponseti Method has been integrated into the medical school curriculum across South Africa.

2009

Karen first learned about miraclefeet as it was first forming.

2011

Karen and miraclefeet Executive Director Chesca began discussing a partnership between STEPS and miraclefeet.

2012

miraclefeet and STEPS SA partnership was finalized!

STEPS SA held a training that included practitioners from neighboring Mozambique, Botswana, and Namibia. In these three southern African countries, the Ponseti Method has yet to be widely taught or accepted.

What does the future hold for miraclefeet and STEPS?

By the end of 2013, miraclefeet and STEPS SA plan to support Ponseti treatment in over 8 public hospitals. “We are helping to expand treatment in outlying regions of South Africa by partnering with clinics that serve the poorest communities, and we are launching the Ponseti Method in Botswana and Namibia this year, and also plan to work with Tanzanian and Swaziland clinics,” says Karen. The program in Botswana will initially start at Princess Marina Hospital, the largest public hospital in the capital city Gaberone.

With miraclefeet’s support, Karen has long term goals for STEPS too. “In 5 years, we would like to be a regional (sub-Saharan) powerhouse, educating, informing and supporting clinics, doctors and families so that clubfoot patients are receiving the best possible care.”

The day every child has treatment

And ultimately, STEPS and miraclefeet have the same ultimate wish. “In 10 years, we hope to have completely eradicated neglected clubfoot or poor treatment of clubfoot in the entire region so that every child born with clubfoot is assured of a life without disability,” says Karen.

Learn more about STEPS and miraclefeet’s work in South Africa and Botswana:

South Africa: http://www.miraclefeet.org/projects/SouthAfrica.php

Botswana: http://www.miraclefeet.org/projects/Botswana.php

Crocs Rock Liberia!

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:22:21 -0500

Back in July of 2012, miraclefeet and Crocs partnered to ensure children recovering from clubfoot treatment in Nicaragua had proper footwear.

Now, Crocs is at it again, and this time in Liberia!

Pictured below are some familiar faces (including Youkoi) in their brand new Crocs.

Crocs Cares’ generous donation of their trademark rubber shoes to children in miraclefeet’s clinics is so very important, for a number of reasons.

Many patients do not have adequate footwear, imperative to ensuring continued health. Walking to school or work is a continued difficulty, all the more discouraging now that the physical act of walking is possible thanks to completed Ponseti treatment.

Often, once the feet seem completely corrected, patients will neglect to come back to the clinic. But in reality it is so important that children continue wearing a brace for 3-4 years and come in for regular check-ups.

But with Crocs’ help, patients receive free shoes AND parents have an added incentive to bring their children back to the clinic.

A huge thank you to Crocs and the FACORC clinic for all of the amazing work they are doing.

New Clubfoot Program: First Steps in Ecuador

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 10:36:00 -0500

Six months ago, miraclefeet received an incredible grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities. We planned to use this $138,000 to establish clubfoot clinics in Ecuador, providing free Ponseti treatment to the nearly 3,000 children living with talipes in the country.

And now those plans are becoming reality.

Chesca and Lauren traveled to Ecuador this month to establish relationships with hospitals, nonprofits and non-governmental organizations in Quito, Ecuador’s capital, and Guayaquil, Ecuador’s most populous city.With 300 new children born with clubfoot every year in Ecuador, it’s imperative to provide efficient and affordable treatment in-country.

A patient sleeps as his casts are finished by PIA-Ecuador Member Dr. Geovanny OIeas.

miraclefeet will launch pilot programs in the main pediatric hospitals of Quito and Guayaquil, building on the miraclefeet vision to partner with local orthopedic surgeons and establish clinics within the existing public health system.The effectiveness and sustainability of these pilot programs will be ensured in a number of key ways:

1. Beyond the physical components essential to a new clubfoot clinic—braces, plaster, clinic support—a pilot program is all about education and outreach.miraclefeet will educate pediatricians, OBGYNs and midwives about the low-cost and surgery-free Ponseti Method; teach parents how to ensure their children’s treatment is successful; and support Ponseti doctors beyond Quito and Guayaquil.

To ensure the success of programs in Ecudaor, miraclefeet will work alongside local partners, including:

Fundacion Vida Saludable (a maternal and child health NGO in Ecuador)
Ponseti International Association – Ecuador Chapter
Fundacion Hermano Miguel
Junta de Beneficiencia de Guayaquil

2. To ensure the sustainability of the program, braces will be made IN Ecuador at prosthetic and orthotics workshops within Fundacion Hermano Miguel, a not-for-profit rehab center in Quito, and Hospital de Ninos Roberto Gilbert, the Junta de Beneficienca de Guayaquil supported pediatric hospital.

3. miraclefeet will organize hospital-specific trainings. Leading Latin American experts from Ponseti International Association and physicians from Project Perfect World will examine and treat complex issues at the hospitals, like relapses, older patients and clubfoot associated with other syndromes or neurological disorders, including arthrogryposes, spina bifida, Edward’s Syndrome (Trisomy 18) and cerebral palsy.

4. Along with the University of Iowa, miraclefeet developed a National Ecuadorian Ponseti Database as part of the International Clubfoot Registry.

miraclefeet Executive Director Chesca Colloredo-Mansfeld helps a father soak off his child’s casts at Hospital Baca Ortiz, Ecuador’s principle pediatric hospital.

We are just beginning but our partners in Ecuador and everyone at miraclefeet are excited to take this first step of many.

Meet the Staff: Leslie

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 13:26:41 -0500

Meet Leslie, miraclefeet’s Office Manager and website extraordinaire. When Leslie’s not corresponding with donors and keeping track of our patient database, she’s playing kickball and using her pilot skills to fly around North Carolina.

Leslie writing LOTS of letters to our amazing donors.

How did you get started with miraclefeet?

When I first moved to North Carolina I was looking to get involved with organizations that I felt were doing amazing things. I found miraclefeet’s website and was so impressed by the huge impact they had had in such a short time. I offered to volunteer and was asked to come in for an interview. The rest is history.

What do you love about your job?

I absolutely adore hearing the stories and seeing the pictures of children from all over the world who have lived with clubfoot and are facing a life that is vastly different because of the Ponseti method. I especially love hearing stories from donors about how they feel so connected to our patients because of their experiences with clubfoot. It makes the world feel so much smaller and the people in it so much more connected.

What are some of your favorite hobbies outside of work?

I tend to find so many hobbies it’s hard to know where to start! One of my favorites is flying- I’m a pilot. I love playing the guitar, singing, playing kickball, checking out little book stores and exploring North Carolina. I also still really enjoy volunteering locally and loving on the people in my community.

What is your favorite movie? TV show? Band?

I love The Count of Monte Cristo (even though its nothing like the book), Arrested Development and the local band Delta Rae.

Read any good books lately?

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts- seriously amazing!

Favorite birthday party as a child?

For my 13^th birthday, my five best friends and I went to a Smashmouth concert (yep! that’s the band that sings about “Her finger and her thumb in the shape of an L on her forehead.”) We snuck backstage and peeked into the green room before we got too nervous and ran away. We spent the whole night talking about how brave and adventurous we are and then got our ears pierced. Hard. Core.

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Chocolate. Or Mexican….maybe Mexican Chocolate.

What are your biggest goals in life?

My goals in life are to give back as much as possible and to have as much fun as possible doing that. As long as I’m doing that, I’m happy.

miraclefeet's Top Moments of 2012

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 12:05:00 -0500

As we look forward to 2013 and all that it will bring, we want to reflect on the triumphs, growth, support and new friends that 2012 saw. So we asked everyone at miraclefeet to think of their favorite moment from the year, and we received all kinds of answers. But they all had one common thread: none of miraclefeet’s work would be possible without the amazing support of our donors, followers and local partners.

So without further ado, here it is! Our “Top miraclefeet Moments of 2012.”

Ask the Staff: What Was Your Favorite Moment?

Chesca (Executive Director): “Launching programs in Africa - both Liberia and Zimbabwe and the partnership in Southern Africa with STEPS. These new programs demonstrate we can scale and show what an impact we can have by partnering with local partners.”

miraclefeet’s local partners in Africa:

FACORC, Liberia
Zimbabwe Sustainable Clubfoot Project, Zimbabwe
STEPS, South Africa

Leslie (Office Manager): “The amazing support from donors. I love the notes that we get when people send in checks expressing their appreciation for the work we are doing. We even started a bulletin board with the heart-felt notes we get from our donors.”

Artwork from Brody, who donated his braces to miraclefeet.

Anne (Director of Finance): “Having our first audit! With our audited financials, we are able to apply for additional grants and give confidence to our donors. With our audited financials, we earned the GuideStar seal for being committed to transparency!”

Learn more about miraclefeet’s financials and commitment to transparency: http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/27-3764203/miraclefeet.aspx

Lauren (Program Manager): “The twins in Liberia! And for so many reasons – because Ponseti WORKS, even in older children; because the twins are now able to go to school and it shows how clubfoot treatment transforms lives; both parents can work full-time now – it’s affected the whole family. When it comes down to it, it’s because these children got the treatment they deserve.”

Maima and Youkoi are all smiles after Ponseti treatment.

Mary Charles (Social Media Intern): “The opportunity to share miraclefeet’s story with more people as our social media followers increased by the hundreds—stories of the special ways our donors are giving, the importance of initiatives like International Day of the Girl, and miraclefeet’s Ronald McDonald House Charities grant.

Some of Our Other Favorite Moments:

Having Anne, Leslie, Mary Charles, Rebeca (Nicaragua) and Olga (Mexico) join our team, enabling us to more effectively run our programs and interact with our donors.

Rebeca with a patient in Nicaragua

The day we reached 500 children… and the day we reached 1000 – both of which happened in 2012.

What a year 2012 was. We can’t wait to continue providing access to clubfoot treatment to more children around the world in 2013.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: A Big Step for Little Feet

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:50:00 -0500

Two months ago, we took some time to reflect on International Day of the Girl, a day devoted to celebrating and advancing opportunities for girls across the globe. We noted that for women living with disabilities, prospects for education and employment are particularly limited.

But women aren’t the only ones living with disability around the world: approximately 650 million people—10% of the world’s population—live with a disability. So we want to take a moment now to discuss the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This Convention is working to increase opportunity for children living with disabilities like clubfoot through a number of avenues.

And this work is essential. Developing countries, like the ones miraclefeet partners with, are home to 80% of people living with disability in the world, according to the United Nations Development Programme. Further, the World Bank estimates that 20% of the world’s poorest people are disabled.

To address these staggering inequalities, the Convention seeks to prevent children with disabilities like clubfoot from being “weeded out,” forgotten by society as they struggle to survive with limited ability and resources.

The Convention addresses this goal in a number of ways:

By calling for universally accessible buildings, roads, indoor/outdoor facilities and transportation options.

By ensuring that children with disabilities have equal access to engage in play and recreation, including activities during the school day.

By recognizing the importance of school. Many children, like Maima and Youkoi, born with clubfoot are hidden at home and never get the chance to attend school. With affordable access to treatment, clubfoot can be identified early, preventing permanent disability.

And the convention recognizes that educating not just those living with disability, but educating the rest of the world about disability is equally important. Starting conversations with the medical and general populations on the treatment of clubfoot is a huge step toward increasing access worldwide.

By reading this post and visiting miraclefeet’s website, you are an integral part of this important conversation. Thank you.

To give the gift of walking this holiday season to children like Maima and Youkoi, visit: https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1001406

Meet Jatu, a clubfoot patient, and her family

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 14:29:00 -0500

Here is a family photo of little Jatu with her mother, Kema, her twin sister, and her brother Amos. Jatu and her twin are 1 year and 7 months. Her twin sister does not have clubfoot. They are the youngest of 5 children.

Jatu’s mother Kema is blind. Understanding the difficulties of persons with disabilities in Liberia, Kema worried that her daughter’s clubfoot would prevent her going to school, getting married, and having a full life. She learned that clubfoot treatment was available, she knew she must bring her, Jatu. Kema does not go anywhere without her eight-year-old son Amos. Kema carries the twins, while Amos guides his mother by holding her skirt.

Kema, the twins, and Amos walked 3 hours on the main road to reach C.B. Dunbar clinic in Gbarnga, Bong County. Here, the FACORC clubfoot team along with nurses and a doctor from C.B. Dunbar casted the clubfoot children, including little Jatu. “People said that my daughter will not walk because her twin sister sat on top of her in my womb,”Kema told the Ponseti practitioners. “I am happy for this program.”

We have reached 85 children in Liberia. To continue treating children like Jatu, please consider donating this holiday season.

Inspiration from Liberia: Maima & Youkoi

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 10:00:23 -0500

Last week, miraclefeet program director Lauren returned to Liberia, where we first partnered with a clinic in August. Now, four and a half months later, miraclefeet’s partnering clinics in Liberia have seen and supported over 60 new patients. Children that had no chance for treatment are now on their way to walking thanks to miraclefeet’s supporters and partnering nurses and practitioners.

Two of those patients are Maima and Youkoi, twelve-year-old twins from rural Liberia. Maima and Youkoi had never been to school. Their growth has been stunted from lack of nutrition. Their parents weren’t able to have more children because taking care of two twins with clubfoot is a full-time job…and one that would last the rest of their lives.

We first met Maima and Youkoi when their father brought them six hours from Lofa County to Bong County where miraclefeet was holding a training. Maimai, Youkoi, and their father sat in the back seat of a car while we drove through the rain eight hours back to Monrovia, Liberia’s capital, so that they could stay at the main clinic with more seasoned practitioners. “I saw them every day for five consecutive days. I never saw them smile,” said Lauren.

Below is a photo of Maima and Youkoi before treatment—beautiful kids with painfully twisted feet.

And here is a photo of what Lauren saw on her return trip—Maima and Youkoi now.

The first smiles we had ever seen on their faces.

Says Lauren: “I am embarrassed to admit that I buried my face in my hands and cried. Sometimes in the day to day we forget what’s important… budget numbers… increasing supply costs…. does it really matter?”

Together—miraclefeet, donors, supporters, nurses, practitioners—we are changing lives. Maima and Youkoi are just one reminder of what it really means to give a child the gift of walking.

Thank you for joining us on this journey.

Consider giving the gift of walking to families like Maima and Youkoi’s this holiday season: https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1001406

Exciting Update from Botswana

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 10:30:43 -0500

miraclefeet director Chesca is in beautiful Botswana, exploring how best to establish a clubfoot program in the region. Working alongside amazing partners Steps South Africa and a mother from Botswana, Chesca sent us this exciting update from across the world:

Chesca’s Update from Botswana

“A great day in Gaborone for miraclefeet and Steps South Africa, spent with Tshepag Chilume, Botswana clubfoot champion and parent of a child successfully treated with the Ponseti Method. Chesca, Director of miraclefeet, and Karen Moss, founder and Director of Steps South Africa, are working to support the establishment of a program driven largely by Tshepang, a dynamic and energetic parent, along with a group of local doctors, physiotherapists and concerned citizens.

We started the day with a very positive meeting with the Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Health. This was followed by a press briefing on the planned launch of a Botswana Clubfoot Program, attended by doctors, journalists and a Rotary representative - and then a radio interview on a live chat show. Several meetings with the Director of Princess Marina Hospital, the senior Orthopedic surgeon in Botswana and the Head of Orthotics and Prosthetics confirmed great support for establishing a Ponseti clubfoot program in the public hospitals in Botswana in early 2013.

It was an extraordinarily positive start to a program that will hopefully eradicate untreated clubfoot in Botswana and highlights the power of working with local clubfoot champions and clubfoot parents.”

See firsthand the dramatic change possible through the Ponseti...

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 09:21:27 -0500

See firsthand the dramatic change possible through the Ponseti Method. Clubfoot treatment doesn’t just heal feet—it changes lives. When children can walk, they have the opportunity to play with friends, attend school, get jobs.

Give the gift of walking this season.

https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1001406

Campaign to Watch: Shoes4Change

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 13:23:00 -0400

Scott and Drake are high school sophomores. And they’re selling shoes to give the gift of walking.

miraclefeet provides clubfoot treatment to children in developing countries around the world. This work reveals itself in a number of ways: from providing materials to sponsoring clinics to training doctors, nurses and counselors. But none of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors. And our donors come from all walks of life—parents of children with clubfoot, people with no connections to clubfoot at all, men, women, adults…and even young people.

We have already introduced you to two amazing girls, Natalie and Caroline, who looked into their own backyard and made a difference. You can read more about their story here: http://miraclefeet.tumblr.com/post/28345573874/providing. Now we are thrilled to introduce you to two more young people with big hearts—and big dreams—who instead of looking outside, looked online.

Scott Diekema and Drake Danner hail from Iowa City—also home to the University of Iowa and Dr. Ignacio Ponseti who developed the Ponseti Method, now the most widely-accepted clubfoot treatment.

When Drake introduced Scott to his love of collecting and re-selling rare sneakers (think Retro Jordans and limited Nike releases), an idea was born. Scott was familiar with clubfoot and miraclefeet’s mission and had been wanting to do something to help.

So Scott and Drake teamed up and formed Shoes4Change. Now they find, buy and re-sell rare sneakers and donate the proceeds to miraclefeet, helping children around the world receive free clubfoot treatment.

Thanks Scott and Drake!

Check out Shoes4Change’s website and get your own pair of cool kicks: http://shoes4change.org/

Donate now and give the gift of walking: https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1001406

Or come up with your own creative way to fight clubfoot—we love working with our wonderful donors!

International Day of the Girl

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 12:28:22 -0400

You may remember that last week, we celebrated International Day of the Girl and introduced you to our friend Blessing, a patient in miraclefeet’s partner clinic in Liberia.

But we want to go a little further and share with you why that day was so important.

A lot has been written about the disadvantages women experience across the globe, particularly in developing countries, where gender-based violence and inequalities in hiring and pay are very much a reality.

Now imagine being a girl or woman with clubfoot. If girls living with clubfoot in developing countries don’t get treated, they can’t get educated—schools are often located miles away. Educating girls has been recognized by the United Nations as one of the most important things we can do to reduce poverty and hunger in our world. But right now, out of the world’s 130 million out-of-school-youth, 70% are girls. For women living with disabilities, the global literacy rate is less than 1%. Given the opportunity to attend school, girls on average reinvest 90% of their income back into their families.

Treating girls like Blessing not only heals her—it contributes to her family, community, and ultimately our world.

The United Nations held a Convention on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities to discuss the huge inequalities for people living with impairments like clubfoot. The UN recognizes that “women and girls with disabilities are often at greater risk, both within and outside the home, of violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation.” Treating girls with clubfoot can change their lives.

When Blessing took her first steps on sturdy feet, she wasn’t just walking toward her mother. She was taking the first step toward a life filled with opportunity. miraclefeet is proud to work alongside our global partners and bring free clubfoot treatment to girls in developing countries. As we strive to give the gift of walking around the world, we are committed to treating every day like its International Day of the Girl.

Sources:

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/155182_314682885305788_2011509290_n.jpg

Convention on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities, Footnote 6. General Assembly resolution 61/106 of 13 December 2006, Preambular paragraph (q).

http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1514

Meet the Staff: miraclefeet interns

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 17:15:00 -0400

miraclefeet wouldn’t be the same without its amazing interns. It’s time you get to know them!

Joss Warren, Intern, Indian Programs: University of North Carolina

Career Goal: I want to become a doctor and hopefully work overseas in some kind of medical and public health capacity.

Best part about interning with miraclefeet: My favorite part of interning with miraclefeet is how challenging the work is. I am constantly given tasks that are outside of my comfort zone and help to increase my range of abilities within the workplace. I am also learning a lot about what it takes to effectively manage a non profit organization, which is something that is relevant to my hopeful career path.

What’s Next: After college I am hoping to go to medical school and pursue a graduate degree in public health.

Mary Charles Hale, Intern, Social Media: North Carolina State University

Career Goal: In the most general answer possible, I hope to have a career that makes me happy and has a positive impact on the world. I love to write, I love to travel, and I love to laugh, so a career that combined all three would be great! I would be head over heels to end up in an organization like miraclefeet. Either that or become stage manager of Good Morning America.

Best part about interning with miraclefeet: I have two favorite parts—I couldn’t pick just one! First, the people. Chesca, Lauren and Leslie have all been so welcoming and are a really fun, caring and committed group of people to work with. The stories I have heard and the children I have learned about since interning with miraclefeet are the other best part. miraclefeet is doing incredible work around the world and getting to share stories like Jorgito’s and Melvin’s and Marli’s is a special job.

What’s Next: This year I plan on playing a lot of trivia, watching the Wolfpack win an NCAA Basketball Championship and finishing my senior year as an English major at NC State University.

Taylor Craig, Intern, Research and Outcomes: North Carolina State University

Career Goal: To work for an organization that promotes global health care and addresses health care needs around the world.

Best part about interning for miraclefeet: Being a part of a passionate team of professionals that work to improve the lives and create positive outcomes for families in low-income countries.

Whats next: Continue to raise awareness of the importance of health care around the world, continue to gain experience through internships and traveling before going onto graduate school for a Masters in Public Health.