Words of Encouragement
Would you like to share a few words of encouragement to Denis’ family? Simply email us at TheCrew@hopewalks.org. We will gather all the comments and share them with the country program staff, who will then pass them on to the family.
Denis – Update 1
I wanted to share a fresh update that just came in from our team in Honduras about a brand-new little one who joined the journey.
A baby boy named Denis was born on October 12, 2025, so he’s still just two months old. His mom, Denia, had an incredibly heavy pregnancy—she lost her father-in-law (whom she considered like a father), then her young nephew, and then a cousin in the family died of cancer only 22 days after diagnosis. For months she was grieving, anxious, and carrying more sadness than anyone should have to carry while expecting a child.
So when Denis was delivered by C-section and she noticed his feet right away, it felt like one more weight on a mother already stretched thin. She worried it might be her fault. She worried what his life would look like. She worried about how others might treat him.
They tried a private hospital first, and the cost estimates were crushing:
– $200–$280 USD per cast
– About $1,200 USD for the tenotomy
– Expensive custom braces
For a farming family already struggling through grief, the math simply didn’t work. Denia cried for days, convinced they would never be able to afford the care Denis needed.
But then something wonderful happened.
At a routine vaccine visit, a health worker gently encouraged her, saying, “Don’t worry… this has a solution.” That same day she connected them to our partner clinic in Santa Bárbara, and within the week, they were in for their first appointment—completely free, because of you and the incredible generosity of The Clubfoot Crew.
Denis has now completed several appointments. When his first cast came off, Denia said she felt a wave of relief. She could see the change already. She even asked to take the little cast home because Denis’s big sister wants to paint it. How sweet is that?
And here’s the part I always wish donors could see in person:
The full 5-year treatment plan that private hospitals quoted at thousands of dollars?
Hope Walks provides the entire thing for about $500—and the family pays nothing. Crew members like you cover every bit of that cost so parents can focus on hope rather than fear.
This family traveled six hours each way just to get Denis started, and the father even forfeits two days of income each week during the coffee harvest so they can keep up with appointments. But they told our team:
“For the child, we’ll go.”
Thanks to you, they’re not facing that journey alone.
I’ll keep you posted as little Denis continues growing and healing. Thank you for being the reason this family has hope today.
Denis – Update 2
We just received another update on Denis from Honduras, and it felt too encouraging not to share right away.
Denis had an appointment on December 8, and here’s the great news: he only needed four casts total in November and did not need a tenotomy at all. Even better—at that December visit, he was fitted for his very first brace.
His mom shared that her happiest moment came when the team told her, at the fourth cast, that Denis had made all the progress needed.
The transition to braces wasn’t easy at first—Denis cried that first night, and like many parents, she wrestled with doubts and worry and considered taking the braces off. She later discovered that a misplaced sock had been causing discomfort, which left her feeling guilty (something I’m sure many parents can relate to).
But then… something shifted.
The next night, Denis slept peacefully. And so did she. Little by little, both of them adapted. She told our team that clinic days became her favorite days of the week—Fridays meant she could finally see his bare feet and notice how much they were changing.
People still sometimes stare or ask questions, and that can hurt. But she’s choosing to stay strong, trusting God and committing to walk the full five-year journey for her son. In her words: “I will not disappoint my boy.”
Thank you for being the reason this family can focus on healing instead of fear. You’re right there with Denis, every step of the way.
Next month, we’ll share the final update on Denis with you.
Denis – Update 3
This is the final update we’ll be sharing on Denis from Honduras—and it’s a sweet one.
Denis had his second brace visit on January 9, and his family says the past month has been full of joy. They were able to celebrate Christmas together, and his big sister played a starring role. She painted all four of Denis’s casts herself and even asked the clinicians and the program manager to sign them. One of the photos our team sent shows Denis in a little onesie that says “My First Christmas” in Spanish—his sister insisted he wear it.
Getting to the clinic is still no small thing for this family. They work in the coffee fields and have to begin traveling overnight, a full day in advance, just to arrive by 8:00 a.m. Mom, dad, Denis, and his sister all come together every time—and they are incredibly proud of how far he’s come.
When asked about Denis’s feet now, his parents kept it simple: “They are much better.” And when asked about the community, they said, “Thanks to God, it’s good.” That quiet confidence is a big shift from the fear and uncertainty they felt at the beginning.
Their hopes for Denis are beautifully ordinary: that he would grow up like other children—playing, laughing, enjoying life, and becoming a good person. Walking this journey has also changed how they see others living with disabilities. As Denis’ mom shared, you don’t truly understand how hard it is until you live it—and she wishes every family had access to a solution like Denis did.
When asked what she wanted donors to know, her message was heartfelt and direct:
“Through the help you provide, you give us a light of hope. Thanks to you, my child will have a better life. We will always be grateful.”
Thank you for being that light—for Denis, and for so many other families just like his.
