JoJenna is an eight-month-old girl from Cambodia. She lives in Phnom Penh with her parents and her three-year-old older sister. Her father works as a taxi driver, while her mother is a supermarket sales worker. She enjoys playing with toys alongside her older sister.
JoJenna was born with polydactyly of both hands and both feet. This means that she has an extra little finger on each hand and an extra little toe on each foot. The extra finger on her right hand is movable, while the one on her left hand has no movement. Her extra right toe is also connected to the surrounding webspace. These fingers and toes may affect her mobility and comfort as she grows older. Her father also worries that she may become self-conscious about her appearance or feel different from other children as she grows older.
Fortunately, on November 11th, surgeons will perform a polydactyly repair procedure to remove the extra fingers and toes. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, is requesting $379 to fund this procedure. After surgery, her hands and feet will have a more typical appearance. This will help her feel more comfortable as she grows and may reduce difficulties with using her hands and feet during everyday activities.
JoJenna’s father said, “I hope the surgery will help my daughter have more normally shaped fingers and toes so she can use her hands and feet comfortably as she grows. I want her to play, walk, and enjoy life like other children. Most of all, I hope she will grow up feeling confident and never feel shy about her appearance.”