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The Help Walking program is focused on the correction of Club Foot deformities in Colombian youth (0-5 years of age) who cannot afford the braces needed to treat the condition. The program uses the Ponseti Method which is a form of sequential splinting (also referred to as Iowa Braces) to help correct the deformity at a young age. As the child grows, braces will be upsized while the previous braces will be returned to the “bank” to be distributed to other families. The distributed Braces Lending Bank established in Phase 1 will be expanded to serve families across the country, while educational materials will be created and sent to families and clinics for awareness about the program.
Impacts:
- Treating 600+ children and their families within the first 5 years of age
- Improving awareness of the Ponseti treatment option rather than expensive surgeries
- Promoting the availability of low/no-cost braces across the country
- Allowing children to be alleviated from a debilitating deformity early in life
This is a partnership with the Sociedad Colombiana de Ortopedia organization where braces will be purchased and distributed to Ponseti clinics who agree to participate in the program. Forty Orthopods in 12 Ponseti clinics will prescribed and adjust braces as requried. Hospitals will be committed to buying new braces as they wear out to ensure the program is sustainable.