Farming in the mountainous regions of northern Vietnam can be very challenging. The difficult working environment is not the only challenge faced by the Do Thi Thanah family. Tuic, their 9 month old daughter, was born with bilateral clubfoot, a severe limb deformity. Her parents feared she would be denied a normal life including marriage, work and participation in the community.
Acting upon the advice of their relatives and community, Tiuc’s parents took her to the local clinic where they learned of the partnership between POF and the Son La Hospital to treat children with clubfoot using the Ponseti method. Tiuc received her first casting when she was 20 days old. After completing a series of six casts, her feet are now straight and she is wearing braces to maintain a normal foot position.
Tuic’s mother, all smiles now, can confidently look forward to her daughter’s future. Tuic will attend school and between classes learn farming and household chores.
