To assist children born with clubfoot in overcoming social and physical obstacles and transitioning to a normal life, an awareness-raising gathering was organized in Cumilla. The special “Parents Group Meeting” was held on Thursday at noon at the city’s Orko Care Center as part of the “Walk for Life” event.
Implemented by the non-governmental organization United Purpose with financial support from MiracleFeet, the session brought together 20 parents—12 female and 8 males—of 10 children currently receiving treatment. Sumit Banik, Field Coordinator of United Purpose, led the meeting as the chief facilitator, while Md. Touhidul Islam, a Ponseti practitioner and physiotherapist at Orko Care Center, provided technical support.
Parents were given the opportunity to discuss the real-world difficulties they encounter in making sure their kids receive treatment on a regular basis. The conversations brought to light common obstacles like financial constraints, transportation challenges, and the weight of unfavorable social opinions.
Addressing the parents, Sumit Banik offered a message of hope and reassurance. “The Ponseti method is a globally recognized, safe, and effective treatment for clubfoot. Our physiotherapists are following this exact method to provide care,” he said. “If started at the right time, children fully recover. They can stand on their own feet, run, and go to school just like any other normal child. There is no reason to lose hope. However, the biggest architects of this treatment’s success are not the doctors or health workers, but you—the parents.”
The technical steps of the Ponseti method were explained in simple terms, with a strong warning that stopping treatment halfway could cause the child’s foot to curve back again.
Physiotherapist Md. Touhidul Islam emphasized the critical need for consistency and family support. “In this long journey of clubfoot treatment, the love and care of the entire family is the best medicine. After the plaster is removed, there is no alternative to doing the right exercises and wearing the special brace or shoes,” he noted. “Often, out of pity for a crying child or seeing slight improvement, families leave the treatment incomplete. But remember, a little negligence or lack of awareness can put your beloved child’s future at risk.”
Parents voiced their dissatisfaction with the superstitions that persist in society during the open conversation. Many discussed the painful reality that mothers of children with clubfoot often face unpleasant remarks and unfounded accusations. The parents promised to continue their children’s medical care in spite of these obstacles and to disregard the criticism from society.
A summary of the continuous assistance United Purpose provides to ensure these kids have a better future was given at the end of the session. The ‘Walk for Life’ initiative has been operating throughout Bangladesh for a long time to promote clubfoot awareness, dispel societal stigmas, and provide cutting-edge medical care.
