In a small coastal town in Northern Samar, Philippines, seven-year-old Eric is known for his playful spirit. “I’m a prankster,” he admits with a grin, boasting about his ability to jump over his friends during playtime. But behind his playful energy is a challenge he has faced since birth—Eric was born with clubfoot. 

From an early age, Eric’s mother, Glenda, noticed his feet were curved in and down—not severely, but enough to make walking difficult. While other children ran freely, Eric struggled with balance and often needed to be carried. Living in San Roque, where resources are scarce and access to medical care is limited, Glenda worried what the future held for her son. She wanted him to attend school and play like the other children, but wasn’t sure what to do about his feet. She had little time to investigate as she juggled daily responsibilities: fetching water, cooking meals, ensuring Eric attended school, and caring for her aging parents.

When NORFIL Foundation, a local organization working with MiracleFeet and our local partner PNGOC, arrived in their community hope finally seemed within reach. NORFIL’s work centers around ensuring care and rehabilitation of vulnerable children and youth, such as those with disabilities like clubfoot. As part of their outreach, social workers visit families at home to ensure well-being and assist with accessing services that promote child development, protection, and participation. As a single mother of three living with her parents, Glenda was grateful for the support.  

 
Eric’s grandfather, however, was hesitant to enroll him in treatment. Having accepted Eric’s condition as part of God’s plan, he was unsure about the need for medical intervention. “Why would we alter something that God has already given?” he questioned. Like many in their community, he feared that treatment would be painful or even unnecessary, and his religious faith heavily outweighed any trust in modern medicine. But as he watched Eric struggle with mobility and heard stories of other children with clubfoot being overlooked or bullied, his perspective slowly began to shift. It took some convincing but eventually the social worker who visited Eric’s home was able to convince the entire family that seeking treatment was not in opposition to their Catholic faith.  

The Journey to Healing

With support from NORFIL and MiracleFeet, Eric and his mother traveled to Tacloban, a populous city several hours south of their home, for treatment. At the clinic, doctors explained the Ponseti method, a non-invasive treatment involving, as a first step, a series of plaster casts to gradually correct the position of the feet.  

Week after week, Eric returned for new casts, his feet slowly aligning. When the final cast was removed, Eric stood firmly on both feet for the first time. “I can walk fine now,” he says proudly.  

With his newfound mobility, Eric’s confidence soared. In school, he eagerly participated in class and found support and comradery with his classmates. Also for the first time, he could truly envision his future. “When I grow up, I want to finish my studies and become a soldier,” he says, his eyes full of determination. “Or maybe a policeman.” 

His grandfather, once hesitant, now beams with pride. Seeing Eric’s transformation, he acknowledges how important the treatment was. “If anyone wants to help, we will let them, just so Eric can get better,” he says. “God sent you to help us.” 

A Brighter Tomorrow

Eric’s journey exemplifies the power of quality clubfoot treatment. By detecting cases door-to-door and connecting families with life-changing medical care, MiracleFeet and our partners are ensuring children like Eric have the same opportunities that every child should have. 

“I see that he is really making an effort to study,” Glenda shares. “I’m grateful. He’s a good kid.”   

With each confident step he takes, and each leapfrog game he plays with friends, Eric is headed toward a future that once seemed out of reach—one where he can run, play, and chase his dreams, unburdened by the condition that once held him back.