ICYMI: Read part one of Silvia and Celva’s story.

The Ponseti Method wasn’t as straightforward for Celva as it usually is for newborns. “Perhaps what we could have achieved in three or four casts with a newborn took us, in Celva’s case, 14 casts before her tenotomy. That’s where the difference is,” Dr. Valenzuela commented. Celva quickly grew weary of a new cast every eight days, but the hope of transformation sustained her patience through the process. “The first cast didn’t convince me much,” she recalls, “and neither did the second. But by the third, I could actually see the change in my foot and I thought, ‘Wow, this is actually possible.’” Four months later, Celva, with her sister by her side, sat in the clinic, eyes welling with tears as her last cast was removed revealing her newly straightened foot.

While younger patients typically move on to the bracing phase of the Ponseti Method once casting is complete, Celva’s was instead given a customized plaster splint to wear on her foot at night to avoid relapse. She also went to daily kinesiology and physiotherapy sessions to increase her flexibility and movement while learning how to walk correctly on her treated foot – a vital stage of treatment, especially for older patients. As a first-hand witness to Celva’s success at treatment, Silvia was eager to begin her own.

“What motivated me was seeing Celva’s results. I saw how she could walk, and how she could use high heels – I watched all of that and it motivated me to continue with my own treatment. She told me, ‘You can do it. I did it, and I know you can do it, too.’”

-Silvia

Like two synchronized birds in the air, the sisters switched roles, and Silvia began treatment for her right foot while Celva took over as supportive caretaker and cheerleader. Silvia found the casting phase just as uncomfortable as Celva had, but having seen the final results, she was determined to achieve the same. “I felt good because I had already seen my sister’s foot and I thought, ‘That’s how my foot will turn out as well.’ Every time they changed out the cast, you could see the result, and that felt really great.” After eight casts, she progressed to daily physical therapy.

Sisters in Treatment and in Transformation

“Treatment is not easy,” says Silvia, only halfway through her own, “but it’s not impossible either.” It’s true – clubfoot treatment takes a lot of patience, dedication, and trust. But ask anyone who has watched it happen, and the resounding conclusion is that it is worth it.

An estimated 8 million people are currently living with untreated clubfoot. While successful treatment for older patients is possible, as the twins demonstrate, the complications and difficulties are tenfold. For MiracleFeet and our global partners, the end goal is not only to avoid these complications, but to detect and treat clubfoot in newborns before a patient ever experiences pain, stigma, or exclusion. “The ideal is that we treat patients as a children,” Dr. Valenzuela explains, “so they don’t even remember they had clubfoot.”

For Silvia and Celva, it will be impossible to forget the emotional and physical toll that clubfoot had on their lives. Yet supporting one another through the long, challenging journey to straight feet has ultimately deepened their connection. “My sister has helped me so much,” Celva says, “She’s been with me since the first day to the last.” Together, the two experienced life with untreated clubfoot for twenty-three years. Together, they hoped and dreamed of a different reality. Together, they persevered through treatment. And now, they are stepping into a new future of endless possibilities, together.

“Treatment completely changed me – physically and emotionally. I used to dream of wearing shoes and now I can wear any shoes I want.”

– Silvia

In early 2024, Silvia’s final cast on her left foot was removed – a remarkable milestone for both the girls and for Dr. Valenzuela. The visible transformation is miraculous in itself, but the most valuable result is the impact treatment will have on the twins’ futures. Celva, now able to wear the high heels she always dreamed of, is also looking forward to learning how to swim. Celva wants to learn to ride a bike. And they both have new dreams of traveling to other countries.

“Never give up. You always have to have hope because that’s the only thing you can’t lose.”

– Celva