Ignatius is a confident, cheerful, nine-year-old boy who likes to run and play football. He is the eldest in a family of four in remote Uganda. He cannot remember when exactly his left leg became weak and gradually bent outwards.
Ignatius was born with left genu valgum. Commonly known as “knock-knee”, it is a condition in which the knees angle in and touch when one’s legs are straightened. As a result of his condition, Ignatius frequently has pain when running.
His father tells us that his condition gets worse every year. If his condition is untreated, he could develop early onset osteoarthritis. His parents are not able to afford surgery, as they are small-scale farmers and only earn enough to support Ignatius and his siblings’ basic needs.
Ignatius’ legs will be surgically aligned to prevent them from hitting one another when he walks and runs. The surgery plus 14 days in the hospital will cost $429.
With this operation, Ignatius will be more mobile and free from pain so that he can concentrate in school. He will also be more easily accepted in his community playing soccer with his peers.
“I want to thanks everyone that is supporting my son to get this surgery. May God bless you abundantly,” Ignatius’ father shares.