My Story
I was born with bilateral clubfoot, a condition that affected a great deal of my childhood. After two surgeries, countless castings, and weekly physical therapy sessions for years, I feel lucky to be able to say that clubfoot no longer has an impact on my day-to-day life. Unfortunately, thousands of children around the world are not as fortunate–they have trouble accessing adequate care, and as a result have to suffer the severe effects of untreated clubfoot. Clubfoot Connect is dedicated to raising awareness about clubfoot globally, including a better understanding of the most-needed resources for clubfoot patients.
Previously, I’ve worked with other clubfoot organizations to gain firsthand knowledge of clubfoot’s prevalence as well as its treatability. I hope to share that education here with a wider, global community. On this site you can also donate to help bring access to treatment to children around the world.
At Clubfoot Connect we have been reaching out to clubfoot patients in order to get a better understanding of the best resources for them. We’ve been exchanging stories and building a community. We have written and are continuing to write blog posts about most effective forms of treatment, ways to get involved, and highlighting some of those stories from our network of clubfoot patients.
Hi, I’m Josh
Our Stories
Emmy, a young adult from the U.S., faced the challenges of bilateral clubbed feet from birth. Financial strains marked her early years as her parents funded her surgeries by depleting their retirement savings. Growing up, she dealt with the discomfort of orthotics and the embarrassment of visible foot supports. Persistent foot swelling led her to adapt her lifestyle, transitioning to online teaching for flexibility. Despite her struggles, including a recent bout with Achilles tendonitis and the necessity of a disability parking placard, Emmy continues to advocate for affordable healthcare as a crucial right.
Emmy, late 20s, United States
Silvia’s journey began when her son was born with bilateral complex clubfoot, a condition that required years of dedicated treatment to straighten his feet. Now at 12 years old, her son's left foot is fully corrected, although the right one's heel remains slightly elevated.
Silvia, Dominican Republic
At 68, Holacek has lived with bilateral talipes, undergoing over 17 surgeries. Even with their last major operation at age 11, they recently had a bursa removed from their left foot. Despite these challenges, they remain active, albeit with the aid of orthopedic shoes.
Holecek, 58, Western Australia
"Lindsey, a 34-year-old mother and nursing professional, was born with clubfoot affecting her right foot. She underwent surgery as an infant, followed by serial casting until she was a year old, resulting in limited foot mobility. Balancing her career with long hours on her feet and an active lifestyle, including playing sports like tennis, Lindsey has navigated life's challenges with minimal long-term pain from her clubfoot. Her journey stands as a beacon of hope and resilience for parents of children facing similar conditions."
Lindsey, 34, Arizona
Born with a left clubfoot, Jillian experienced no major issues until the age of 44. Persistent pain and swelling led to the discovery of arthritis in the talonavicular joint, along with bone spurs and tendon dysfunction. She found herself struggling with daily life at the moment, with the waiting list to be seen at the local hospital currently stretching to 35 weeks.
Jillian, Scotland
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