The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

Kendra Thomas has renewed her commitment to raise awareness of clubfoot, a condition her four-year old daughter Kaylee was diagnosed with at birth.

To help her and others deal with the condition, Ms Thomas started the Clubfoot Bahamas Facebook group.

Many Bahamians, she said told Tribune Health, do not know what clubfoot is or even that such a condition exists. Her goal is to shed light on and provide as much information as possible on clubfoot.

Kendra is encouraging Bahamians to join in the global recognition of World Clubfoot Day celebrated on June 3. She is also hoping there will a day to recognise clubfoot locally.

When clubfoot occurs, the foot is twisted inward and down. This condition occurs during development in the womb. The term clubfoot refers to the way the foot is positioned at a sharp angle to the ankle, like the head of a golf club. Clubfoot is a fairly common birth defect and is usually an isolated problem for an otherwise healthy newborn.

According to the Clubfoot Bahamas Facebook page, most children born with clubfoot are not missing any bones, muscles or connective tissue. One or both feet may be affected, and the affected feet can range from relatively flexible to stiff and rigid. The condition is not painful for the newborn, though when a child gets to walking age, walking with an uncorrected clubfoot can be very painful and difficult, if not impossible.

One method for treating clubfoot requires the use of over-the-knee casts and special protocols. The method consists of using a series of casts, gentle manipulation and the use of a special brace. This treatment has been proven to work and is the most cost effective treatment method with no side effects.

Ms Thomas said Kaylee has been undergoing treatment since she was a month old to correct her clubfoot. She has also had several surgeries to reposition her feet over the past two years.

Her next check-up at the Paley Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida, is scheduled for next month.

Ms Thomas said that while it has not been an easy journey, Kaylee is doing well.

Brenria Brown, mother of 19 month-old Brenae Robinson, said one of the most difficult things about the clubfoot condition is not seeing her daughter progress as fast as other children.

“She is a very determined child. Doctors’ visits are another task. From birth, she was put in a cast until about nine months, and every time we would go back to the doctor he would say, ‘Have to cast her again’,” Ms Brown said.

“The stares you get from people are not easy at all and having to explain the condition was another thing. At times she cried; my tears were evident also. Her siblings and her daddy would comfort her as best as possible. She’s surrounded with love and support because we’re a huge family.”

Ms Brown said if she could have traded places with daughter she would have done so in a heart beat.

“The things people expected her to be doing at her age would have come a little later, but everything in time.

“If I could have given her my feet I would have in an instant.

“Every day I pray for healing and strength in her legs and I know that there ain’t nothing too hard for God. This condition is hereditary, because I have an older son with the same condition, but it in his right foot only and he’s doing just fine. With all my heart and intentions I pray by God’s grace that Brenae will be okay.

“With all the support from the orthopaedic department at PMH and family and friends she shall be okay,” she told Tribune Health.

Going forward, Ms Thomas said she Clubfoot Bahamas will continue to educate people, host events as well as interact with local orthopaedic doctors who can give parents more information about the condition at birth.