Steps introduced the Ponseti method to Botswana in partnership with the Ministry of Health in 2013. Thuso Jr. Angelo Rasetapa’s father Thuso Rasetapa recently shared this message with the Steps parent support group:
“Karen Mara Moss attended this boy in Princess Marina Hospital in Botswana way back in 2014. Today he does every sport he wants. Just recently he ran the Botswana Kids 5km fun run at a Marathon event, and he finished in the top 15. Clubfoot is just a condition for a while, but when corrected a star comes out of that person. Ask his mother Oaitse Wawa Sejoe Rasetapa and she will tell you.”
Thuso Rasetapa is rightfully proud of his eight year old son Thuso Jr. Angelo. He says,
“Our son was diagnosed at birth with clubfoot. We took him to Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone Botswana, where we met Karen Moss who was visiting the clinic and the clinic team.
I was not very shocked at the diagnosis, as I am a person with a disability too. I spoke to my wife, and we asked for advice from some of my medical colleagues. As I had a close relationship with some medical staff, especially those in the physiotherapy department where clubfoot was also treated, it was easier for me to find the right treatment.
My family were not too shocked either, as they loved me as a person with a disability, and I assured them that it was a correctable condition compared to mine.
The treatment was hard for us having to see our small child struggling with the POP cast, having the tenotomy procedure, and leaving the clinic with the clubfoot brace. Most of the members of my community were surprised to see a child going through such a process. But the clinic helped us a lot, and today my son can walk well without challenges.
As much as there is always a way to manage all forms of disability, I would urge all parents and caregivers to pull up their pride and assist their child. We are the ones to provide care and support.
I am very proud that my wife stood by me when we faced this ordeal. She was very inspirational, even to other mothers who wanted to give up. We were all united as a family when dealing with the condition. Being assertive as a family really helped us during the journey, and also seeing more children with the same condition having treatment.
The initiator of the Ponseti programme deserves applause and ululation for having created this programme to save our children and expand their abilities.
My son is now 8 years old. He is at school in Grade 3. He has a lot of interest in sports, especially athletics, ball sports and cycling.
Having seen many stars rising from clubfoot, my wish and deep desire is to see Mr Thuso Jr Angelo being a big asset in sports and any other field representing Botswana, my country.
We are VERY positive about his future. We feel he will be a star one day.
Stepping up to donate monthly to clubfoot support means that Steps can give children the encouragement and tools they need to complete the four treatment plan and achieve full mobility. Clubfoot support changes the trajectory of a child’s life.
