Teshale in Ethiopia
Teshale lives with both of his parents in the southern part of Ethiopia. He was born with clubfoot, a condition that causes the feet to turn inward and downward. “Seeing his foot like that felt like a nightmare; it just seemed so unreal,” remembers his mother, Toko. The comments she heard from neighbors only deepened her distress. Many told her the condition could never be fixed and that her son would grow up with this disability.
But Toko would not give up. After searching tirelessly, she learned about treatment and brought Teshale to the health center when he was about two years old, a bit later than we like to start treatment.
The journey was not easy. Both Teshale’s father and mother struggled with personal issues, which at times made it difficult for them to stay consistent with his treatment. Through counseling from a parent advisor at the clinic, Toko found encouragement to change. She addressed her personal issues and focused on her son’s healing. Along the way, she also put her faith in God, which gave her the strength to persevere. With the love and support of her parent advisor, Toko works hard on their farm to provide for the family and remain faithful to Teshale’s care.
“Seeing him walk and run just like other children still feels like a dream to me; I’m still in disbelief,” Toko said with joy. To show her gratitude, she brought a chicken to the clinic as a gift for the physicians who helped transform her son’s future.
Teshale before treatment began