![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugHkXw5Eniy1-E4_fP8-HcmBeNVIUQtyggKp-GOFY-SSbz6xoZ7kAJRdliwVwjcejsX_4GFKs_7ULusDd2I_RLcxHFR_RpYqcaxsW9wcze2KDwQC6jVtteyWAyA7th4B9MTSFPG7cioMM/s1600/IMG_7024.jpg) |
Naejil's feet before treatment. |
When Super Typhoon Yolanda raged over Coron, Palawan in November 2013 it
blew away the house that seven-month old Naejil lived in with his young parents, leaving nothing but the posts. During
a medical mission a few weeks later, Dr. John Tabije of CCT treated the baby
for upper respiratory problems, then, seeing that Naiejil had clubfeet,
recommended that he be brought to an orthopedic surgeon in Puerto Princesa City, the
capital of Palawan.
Although he knew clubfeet are best treated within the first
week of birth, Dr. John thought Naejil still had a chance of not having to
spend the rest of his life painfully walking on the sides of his feet and
suffering the emotional and social problems that come with such a
deformity.
Naejil and his mother, Alyssa, arrived in Puerto Princesa the week before Christmas and met up again with Dr. John . Another
check-up revealed, however, that Naejil’s cough had developed into pneumonia
and he needed hospital care. He spent
two days in a hospital.
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Mommy Alyssa holds Naejil
tenderly as Dr. Catacutan removes his casts after the fifth week. |
Dr. Gerard Catacutan, the orthopedic surgeon who finally saw Naejil, recommended six weeks
of treatment – the feet would be put in casts which would slowly coax the feet
into a normal position. The casts would
have to be changed weekly. Mother and child stayed in the home of CCT volunteer
worker Elena while Naejil was being treated.
Elena, who accompanied Alyssa and Naejil during all visits
to the doctor, says, “By the end of the third week we could already see that
the feet were looking better!”
For the last week, Doc Gerard said it would not be necessary
to put the feet in a cast. Instead, he
fitted the little one with a special pair of shoes that he has to wear at night.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuJyc-9uIanJg_r9S_mgfSCMXwF1KD5wu8uPGN7RRV8evIbYBJIZ_erablHbPInN_w91nOdryP0lhk4iZ7Y9NQqnfmuILHniz994JfLyete6SpHEUICpEYYrZJSbOikI3dyKyertjxvQd/s1600/IMG_7019+(1).jpg) |
Naejil's feet after
five weeks in casts. |
Today Naejil is back in Coron and is nine months old. His
parents are excitedly looking forward to that developmental milestone, his first steps. Thankfully, those
memorable steps will not be made on misshapen feet. And Naejil has an excellent chance of walking through life on two well-formed feet – and maybe even running!
Note: Naejil Vince Bura-ay’s medical expenses were
covered by CCT. Elena’s hospitality and
care were rewarded when her child, who has rheumatic heart disease, also received
medical attention from CCT.