“It is such a joy to have Douglas around because he makes all of us laugh with the stories he has to tell,” Douglas’ mother tells us.
Five-year-old Douglas is an active, friendly, and energetic boy from Tanzania. He is the youngest of three children and his parents are both school teachers. He loves to be outdoors and play with friends, but due to a condition called bilateral genu varus, Douglas has difficulty keeping up with his peers. Bilateral genu varus causes both legs to bow outwards gradually over time. This not only affects Douglas’ gait, but his stamina – he is often tired and out of breath from walking even short distances.
“It hurts to see him unable to walk due to severely bowed legs. We hope that his legs can be straightened so that he can walk to school and build a better future for himself and maybe even help other people as well,” says Douglas’ mother.
The cost of treatment for Douglas is $940. Not only will his gait improve, but he will be able to walk without getting tired, and will be at a lessened risk for early osteoarthritis. Let’s help Douglas get back on track and enjoy being an active young boy!
