The Devastating Risks to Girls with Untreated Clubfoot

Left Behind

Young girls with disabilities in low-resource countries are one of the most at-risk groups for physical abuse, sexual violence, sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy, and lack of education. It’s a sad truth that girls and women with disabilities are often not involved in mainstream education and sexual health campaigns. They are often left isolated at home during the day and have limited mobility, making them at high risk for sexual assault.

Treating clubfoot in young girls provides more than mobility, it provides more security and opportunity for the future. Perhaps just as important, it also helps them to attend school. Girls who complete schooling are more likely to be economically stable, because they delay childbearing and have smaller families. Treating disabilities in girls creates a huge, positive ripple effect.

Reducing the Risk

Princess, pictured above, is a great example of a young girl overcoming a disability thanks to her treatment at a MiracleFeet-supported clinic.  She is six years old and will be in first grade next year. MiracleFeet partners with the Faith Clinical Orthopedic Rehabilitation Center (FACORC) in Liberia and Princess was one of FACORC’s first patients in Bong County about two years ago. She is now able to walk to school and obtain an education.

“I like learning,” Princess is proud to say. She wants to be a nurse when she grows up, so she can help other kids just like her.