Re: 3 wishes-letter

[Guest guest]

Here you go Kari:

" Do not cry, baby. " The gentle, quiet words roll off his tongue in a

thick Spanish accent that instantly soothes the anxious child with its

music. " If you cry, then I will cry, and then my nurse will cry and

then your mama will cry. We will all be crying! " And, turning to the

mother: " Here mama, take your baby, comfort him, I will not work on a

crying baby, let him calm down. " He motions towards the old rocking

chair where he often sits to do his exams. The mother rocks her baby.

The 91-year-old doctor pauses in his work. For this child, right now,

he has all the time in the world.

We have all met exceptional people. Artists, athletes, teachers,

nurses, neighbors who are so gifted, so passionate about what they do,

so smart, so funny, so eager to teach, eager to learn, eager to share

what they have, that we are just astounded to be near them. Happy

that they are around. Few of us, though, have ever met anyone as

exceptional as Dr Ignacio Ponseti. A man who has come out of

retirement in order to help as many children as he can. Who responds

to emails and phone calls from people around the world, giving hope

and comfort to those who are looking for something better. Whose

gentle hands have made all the difference in the lives of so many.

Whose compassion never fails to amaze those who meet him.

Dr Ponseti's wish is a simple and unselfish one: that he might

contribute more than he already has.

He deals little with matters of life and death or with the drama and

urgency of the emergency room, rather, he has dedicated his life to

caring for children with deformities such as clubfoot, hip dysplasia,

and scoliosis. As a young doctor completing his training in

orthopedic surgery at the University of Iowa Medical School in the

1940s, this Spanish immigrant noticed that the surgical procedures

most commonly used to treat clubfoot left many patients with

still-deformed, poorly functioning and painful feet. He set out to

find a better way.

Clubfoot is a condition in which a child is born with at least one

foot severely twisted into a rigid, club-like shape. It affects 1 out

of every 1000 births. If left untreated—or if treated poorly—it is

both physically and psychologically disabling. In developed

countries, most children are treated with extensive, radical

corrective surgery at a very young age. Although the foot usually

looks better, follow-up surgeries and long-term bracing are frequently

needed. The weakening of tendons and muscles, the build-up of scar

tissue, the insertion of pins and screws leave many feet stiff,

painful, prematurely arthritic and, ultimately, crippled. In

under-developed countries, clubfoot is commonly neglected.

Dr Ponseti's research led him to a ground-breaking discovery: when

approached in just the right way, the bone, joint and ligament

deformities that make up clubfoot are largely reversible. Reversible

without the need for surgery on a small child, for anesthesia, for

cutting into tiny feet. Gently and precisely, the minuscule bones are

moved into their proper places, the leg set into a cast. Every

week—for only 5-7 weeks—the foot is again manipulated, another cast

applied. Right before the parents' eyes, the foot that looked so

useless takes on a more recognizable form. Until, in less than 2

months, everything is aligned just as it should be. The correction

achieved must be maintained by bracing until the child reaches

school-age; the reversal is then permanent. In follow-up studies,

most feet treated according to this protocol are functional, flexible

and pain-free even 40 years after treatment.

The wonder of Dr Ponseti's method is that at least 95% of patients

placed in competent and well-trained hands avoid the surgeries other

doctors perform 90% of the time. The glory is that children born

crippled can grow up with perfect, unscarred feet.

The tragedy is that, until recently, this method has been one of the

medical community's best-kept secrets. Even today, as its popularity

grows through word of mouth, through the internet, through parents

desperately seeking out something better for their children, through

conscientious and caring doctors around the world—as it begins to

create a buzz—it remains poorly understood and incompetently applied

by many who purport to be using it.

The reality is that the Ponseti protocol is easy to learn, simple to

use, well-suited to implementation in even the poorest of countries,

yet effective only if it is followed precisely. The truth is that it

does not reach as far and as many as it should. The fear is that it

never will.

A fund has been set up through the University of Iowa Foundation to

support and subsidize the projects that are closest to Dr Ponseti's

heart: developing and manufacturing better braces to maintain foot

correction; searching for the biological causes of clubfoot with the

goal of eradicating the condition in future generations; covering the

cost of treatment for under-privileged children; sending supplies to

developing nations; bringing medical professionals from around the

world to Dr Ponseti's clinic to be trained; ensuring that the doctors

who claim to be using the method truly are.

Dr Ponseti does not have all the time in the world. This fund has

been established so that his legacy of caring might endure.

As you honor Dr Ponseti by making a substantial donation to this fund

and presenting it to him at a reunion of patients he has treated and

children from all parts of the world who have benefited from his work,

you will also be granting a wish that we, parents of children born

with clubfoot, make. You will be raising public awareness of this

spectacularly successful method—just as we have done by bringing it to

your attention.

Please refer to Dr Ponseti's site for further information:

http://www.vh.org/pediatric/patient/orthopaedics/clubfeet/index.html

We thank you for giving our submission your full attention,

ee and Chriss Reese of Oklahoma parents of two clubfooted sons:

who remains somewhat crippled because we did not know yet about

Dr. Ponseti and Everett who enjoys perfect feet thanks to Dr. Ponseti.

Harvey and June Reese of Oklahoma, parents of one clubfooted child,

Mark, who remains with crippled feet because no one knew about the

Ponseti method.

Leroy Reese of Oklahoma, father of one clubfooted son, Greg, who

remains with crippled feet because no one knew about the Ponseti method.

and Faith Slattery of Utah. Parents of , born in Guam

21 Apr 04 with bilateral, atypical clubfeet. Traveled to Hawaii and

then Atlanta only to be told surgery was needed. At seven months we

went to Iowa to see Ponseti. He has had beautiful, pain-free feet since!

and C. Grindon of Wentzville, MO. Parents of Jenna, and

, right clubfoot beautifully and perfectly corrected with the

Ponseti method by Dobbs, M.D. in St. Louis, MO.

Naomi and of Arcata, CA. Parents of Jonah Auden ,

born 06/20/2003 with bilateral clubfoot, now fully corrected thanks to

physicians following the Ponseti protocol.

Kori and Dirk Rush of Portland, OR. Parents of Darbi Ruth Rush, born

3/28/03 with Unilateral Right Clubfoot. Treated non-surgically with

the Ponseti Method by Dr. Sussman at Shriners Hospital in

Portland, Oregon. 5 initial casts and now continuing FAB bracing till

she's 3-1/2 years old. Her foot is so perfect she has no idea there's

anything wrong at all and there's no way are we going to let that foot

change! We love the FAB! We are so thankful for Dr. Ponseti and the

information he gave us. He is, an Angel from Heaven on earth!

& McLaughlin of Iowa City, IA, parents of Jakob Elijah

McLaughlin born 2/9/1998 with bilateral clubfoot. Successful treatment

started at 9 days old with Dr. Stuart Weinstein. We also started the

nosurgery4clubfoot mailing list when it became

apparent how many families were coming to see Dr. Ponseti and needed

support.

and Allyson Egbert and (6 1/2 years old and doing great,

born March 17, 1999).

http://www.vh.org/pediatric/patient/orthopaedics/clubfeet/egbert.html

& Consider of Pennsylvania, parents of one clubfooted

daughter, Olivia, who has perfect feet after treatment by Dr. Ponseti.

We begged and borrowed to go to Iowa after 4 months of failed

traditional casting and three different doctors telling us surgery was

the only answer. Those doctors were wrong.

Bess and Ecelbarger, Tucson, AZ, parents of Audrey, bilateral

clubfoot, treated with the Ponseti method.

and Houdek of Minneapolis, MN, parents of one

clubfooted son, Aleksander, with two beautiful feet thanks to the

Ponseti method.

Kathleen and Fulcher, parents to , born with

bilateral clubfeet; Ponseti method treatment and straight tootsies!

Rick and Marcia of Kissimmee, FL, parents of one clubfooted

daughter, Janelyse, with two precious and functioning feet thanks to

the Ponseti method.

and Shook, parents to , who has successfully been

treated with the Ponseti method, after restarting her treatment at 5

months with a qualified Ponseti method physician, thus saving her from

unnecessary surgery.

and Pam of Hanson, KY. Parents of ,

bilateral clubfoot, treated with Ponseti method by Dr Dobbs in

St. Louis, MO.

Corey and New, parents of Lily, whose left clubfoot has been

beautifully corrected with the Ponseti method.

Mollie Vanderkarr, mother of , born 4/04 with a left clubfoot and

treated by Dr. Ponseti. He began treating my daughter's clubfoot

after 4 futile months of visiting a local Chicago doctor who " used the

Ponseti method " . I am so proud to have her walking today at 16 months

of age!

and Goodin of Indiana: one son, , with clubfeet

successful treated with the Ponseti method.

Stella & Philip , parents to , atypical bilateral

clubfeet, treated in the UK by a Ponseti trained consultant, Naomi

. is 13 months old, and has just started walking with

lovely straight, pain-free gorgeous feet!

& Kline, from Pennsylvania, parents of Ava Kline, born

8/4/04 with a right clubfoot, now a beautiful straight foot thanks to

the Ponseti method.

Tony and Joanne Fuller, Findlay Ohio, parents to Alaya, age 4, born

with severe bilateral clubfeet, now with perfect feet. Treated by Dr.

Ponseti in Iowa beginning at five days old with four casts. Corrected

by 7 weeks of age.

Nicoll and my son Noah Awad of California, he was successfully

treated with the Ponseti method. He was born on March 20th 2005 with

left clubfoot.

Doug and Shelley Lapp, parents of Evan who was born with bilateral

clubfoot, treated successfully with the Ponseti method, and now at age

5, approaches the speed of light when running!

and Jeff Steinert of Maine. Parents of

-Steinert born with bilateral clubfoot, who was treated

unsuccessfully by an orthopedic surgeon for nine months before finding

Dr. Mack at Shriner's Hospital in Springfield, MA. Dr. Mack saved

from unnecessary surgery and gave him perfect feet using the

Ponseti method.

Moshe and Leah parents of sha (3/3/90) very stiff and

painful feet, due to surgeries to " correct " bilateral clubfeet, Eli

(4/24/05) unilateral clubfoot. Happy little boy with fantastic feet

corrected by Dr. Ponseti, and 7 other children who all tell their

friends about a wonderful doctor in Iowa that fixed their brother and

made their parents smile again!

and s parents of , born with bilateral

clubfoot, treated unsuccessfully in Texas for one year which led us to

Iowa where after 3 castings with Dr. Ponseti, she has perfectly

corrected feet without the need of surgery. We saved up, fought with

our insurance, drove through 4 states in the winter, AND IT WAS WORTH

IT ALL!

Suzarrey mother to Diego born 3/24/05 with bilateral clubfoot.

Began unsuccessful treatment with a doctor who claims to use the

Ponseti method but is not properly trained. Currently Diego is being

treated by Dr Ponseti and will continue treatment with a skilled,

trained doctor: Dr. Kent in Tucson, AZ.

Caroline Park and Roger Nye - parents of Zeke. Zeke traveled from

Samoa to Nebraska at age 6 months with his new family. Dr. Ponseti

began treatment at 6.5 months for bilateral clubfoot, and now at 2 1/4

months, Zeke just climbed his first mountain walking, climbing and

running all on his own.

ph and Grush of Malta, Idaho. Parents of Tenny Grush

7/15/04 right clubfoot. Perfectly corrected with the Ponseti method by

Dr. Buzz Showalter, M.D. of Boise, Idaho.

K., mom to Claire 01-16-04 (atypical bilateral clubfoot),

treated by Dr. Ponseti at 6 months old.

Kathy Bruce and Bates, Brighton UK. Parents to Ethan,

bilateral, atypical clubfoot. Successfully undertaking Ponseti method

treatment after being transferred to Naomi - Ponseti trained

Doctor, Manchester UK.

Michele and Yoder. Parents to 4 year old Collin, unilateral

right clubfoot. Began Ponseti method at age 2 with a Ponseti method

trained doctor.

Stacie and Jay Rich of Draper, Utah. Parents of one clubfooted son,

Jordan son, with a perfectly corrected clubfoot by a well trained

doctor: Dr. King in Tarzana, CA, thanks to Dr. Ponseti's brilliance.

and Kittredge, parents to 3-28-01 perfect feet

and 3-1-05 left clubfoot corrected by Ponseti method (Ponseti

certified Dr. in Michigan). I think of Dr. Ponseti often and the

wonderful gift he has given to countless families and little children.

I just wish that I could meet him in person to thank him.

Kurt and Jenni Cypher, parents of Kelsey, age 2, unsuccessfully

treated by non-Ponseti doctor. Foot now beautiful and perfect thanks

to Ponseti method administered by Dr. Diane Von Stein in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Rob and Bridget Hammer, Findlay, OH. Parents of Rachael born with

bilateral clubfoot, corrected by Dr. Ponseti and the Ponseti method.

Rachael now has beautiful & functional feet.

Remington and Gilles Watts, proud parents to Grace Jane Marie

Watts born July 21,2004 with right unilateral clubfoot. Treated

successfully with the Ponseti method by an amazing doctor: Dr. Pirani,

in Vancouver Canada. Many years ago, he used to perform surgery to

treat clubfoot (which unfortunately is the standard with non-Ponseti

trained doctors) and now apologizes to his patients he operated on for

not knowing about the Ponseti method in time to treat them.

Steve and Moss, parents of born with bilateral

clubfoot. In April 2003, we flew 10,000 miles with from

Johannesburg, South Africa for treatment by Dr Ponseti in Iowa City

USA. is now 2 years 7 months old, his feet are strong, flexible

and pain-free thanks to the wonderful Dr Ponseti and his team.

www.clubfoot.co.za

and Gerace, parents to Christian , born on

January 30, 2004 with left unilateral clubfoot. He was successfully

treated with the Ponseti method by Dr. Herzenberg of Sinai

Hospital in Baltimore, MD.

Craig & Hundley from San , TX. Parents to Aidan

Hundley born 8/5/04 with bilateral clubfoot. He has been treated

successful by Dr Kahn & Dr. Shapiro in Austin TX. His feet look great

and just on the verge of walking, he cruises around anything that will

stand still for 5 seconds and he's fast. Thanks to the dedicated work

of one tireless and selfless man!

Raek & Jennipher Assria - Proud parents to Lhea E. Assria, born

5/28/04 with bilateral clubfoot which was caught at our 11 week

ultrasound. Treated at 6 days old, casting & tenotomy although it was

unsuccessful (as we observed and spoke with parents of the no surgery

websites) with a local doctor (which we interviewed and knew about the

Ponseti method) but then treated successfully with Dr. Ponseti at 3

months of age. Now walking at 15 months with Perfect Feet!!!!!

Rodney and Ciccione of Hampshire, Illinois, parents of Avery

Lynn born at 32 weeks with a left clubfoot and started the Ponseti

casting procedure a month after birth weighing just under five pounds.

She has perfect feet now thanks to Dr. Ponseti and all of the doctors

he has taught his expertise to!

Jim and Marilouise Tozier, parents of , born with left

clubfoot. Treated sucessfully with the Ponseti method by Dr.

Herzenberg starting at 10 months old after prior unsuccessful treatment.

Nicki & Cort Dugan of San Francisco, parents of unilateral clubfooted

son, Farley, who has beautiful feet, fully corrected using the Ponseti

method at just seven weeks of age. And unlike less fortunate babies

treated with other methods, no need for invasive, debilitating surgery!

Glen & Anne Bingham, parents to Ian. Born with left clubfoot.

Unsuccessfully treated by two physicians claiming to use the Ponseti

method. Successfully treated at 18 months old by Dr. Ponseti.

> I am finally catching up on old posts. I missed the whole discussion on

> the 3-wishes. I went to the files section but I am unable to open the

> doc unfortunately my wordpad is causing problems.

> I am hoping someone could open it, copy and paste it and send it to me

> directly. It would be greatly appreciated.

>

> Kari

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I think this is a wonderfully written and touching letter! I had no idea Dr.

Ponseti is 91! Wow! He is truly amazing. Anyway, is this being submitted to

the 3 Wishes TV show or something else? Sorry, I saw a few posts about it

but just wondered where it is going to be sent. I think it is an excellent

idea.

Take care,

Halley

>

>Reply-To: nosurgery4clubfoot

>To: nosurgery4clubfoot

>Subject: Re: 3 wishes-letter

>Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 20:26:21 -0000

>

>Here you go Kari:

>

> " Do not cry, baby. " The gentle, quiet words roll off his tongue in a

>thick Spanish accent that instantly soothes the anxious child with its

>music. " If you cry, then I will cry, and then my nurse will cry and

>then your mama will cry. We will all be crying! " And, turning to the

>mother: " Here mama, take your baby, comfort him, I will not work on a

>crying baby, let him calm down. " He motions towards the old rocking

>chair where he often sits to do his exams. The mother rocks her baby.

>The 91-year-old doctor pauses in his work. For this child, right now,

>he has all the time in the world.

>

>We have all met exceptional people. Artists, athletes, teachers,

>nurses, neighbors who are so gifted, so passionate about what they do,

>so smart, so funny, so eager to teach, eager to learn, eager to share

>what they have, that we are just astounded to be near them. Happy

>that they are around. Few of us, though, have ever met anyone as

>exceptional as Dr Ignacio Ponseti. A man who has come out of

>retirement in order to help as many children as he can. Who responds

>to emails and phone calls from people around the world, giving hope

>and comfort to those who are looking for something better. Whose

>gentle hands have made all the difference in the lives of so many.

>Whose compassion never fails to amaze those who meet him.

>

>Dr Ponseti's wish is a simple and unselfish one: that he might

>contribute more than he already has.

>

>He deals little with matters of life and death or with the drama and

>urgency of the emergency room, rather, he has dedicated his life to

>caring for children with deformities such as clubfoot, hip dysplasia,

>and scoliosis. As a young doctor completing his training in

>orthopedic surgery at the University of Iowa Medical School in the

>1940s, this Spanish immigrant noticed that the surgical procedures

>most commonly used to treat clubfoot left many patients with

>still-deformed, poorly functioning and painful feet. He set out to

>find a better way.

>

>Clubfoot is a condition in which a child is born with at least one

>foot severely twisted into a rigid, club-like shape. It affects 1 out

>of every 1000 births. If left untreated—or if treated poorly—it is

>both physically and psychologically disabling. In developed

>countries, most children are treated with extensive, radical

>corrective surgery at a very young age. Although the foot usually

>looks better, follow-up surgeries and long-term bracing are frequently

>needed. The weakening of tendons and muscles, the build-up of scar

>tissue, the insertion of pins and screws leave many feet stiff,

>painful, prematurely arthritic and, ultimately, crippled. In

>under-developed countries, clubfoot is commonly neglected.

>

>Dr Ponseti's research led him to a ground-breaking discovery: when

>approached in just the right way, the bone, joint and ligament

>deformities that make up clubfoot are largely reversible. Reversible

>without the need for surgery on a small child, for anesthesia, for

>cutting into tiny feet. Gently and precisely, the minuscule bones are

>moved into their proper places, the leg set into a cast. Every

>week—for only 5-7 weeks—the foot is again manipulated, another cast

>applied. Right before the parents' eyes, the foot that looked so

>useless takes on a more recognizable form. Until, in less than 2

>months, everything is aligned just as it should be. The correction

>achieved must be maintained by bracing until the child reaches

>school-age; the reversal is then permanent. In follow-up studies,

>most feet treated according to this protocol are functional, flexible

>and pain-free even 40 years after treatment.

>

>The wonder of Dr Ponseti's method is that at least 95% of patients

>placed in competent and well-trained hands avoid the surgeries other

>doctors perform 90% of the time. The glory is that children born

>crippled can grow up with perfect, unscarred feet.

>

>The tragedy is that, until recently, this method has been one of the

>medical community's best-kept secrets. Even today, as its popularity

>grows through word of mouth, through the internet, through parents

>desperately seeking out something better for their children, through

>conscientious and caring doctors around the world—as it begins to

>create a buzz—it remains poorly understood and incompetently applied

>by many who purport to be using it.

>

>The reality is that the Ponseti protocol is easy to learn, simple to

>use, well-suited to implementation in even the poorest of countries,

>yet effective only if it is followed precisely. The truth is that it

>does not reach as far and as many as it should. The fear is that it

>never will.

>

>A fund has been set up through the University of Iowa Foundation to

>support and subsidize the projects that are closest to Dr Ponseti's

>heart: developing and manufacturing better braces to maintain foot

>correction; searching for the biological causes of clubfoot with the

>goal of eradicating the condition in future generations; covering the

>cost of treatment for under-privileged children; sending supplies to

>developing nations; bringing medical professionals from around the

>world to Dr Ponseti's clinic to be trained; ensuring that the doctors

>who claim to be using the method truly are.

>

>Dr Ponseti does not have all the time in the world. This fund has

>been established so that his legacy of caring might endure.

>

>As you honor Dr Ponseti by making a substantial donation to this fund

>and presenting it to him at a reunion of patients he has treated and

>children from all parts of the world who have benefited from his work,

>you will also be granting a wish that we, parents of children born

>with clubfoot, make. You will be raising public awareness of this

>spectacularly successful method—just as we have done by bringing it to

>your attention.

>

>Please refer to Dr Ponseti's site for further information:

>http://www.vh.org/pediatric/patient/orthopaedics/clubfeet/index.html

>

>We thank you for giving our submission your full attention,

>

>ee and Chriss Reese of Oklahoma parents of two clubfooted sons:

> who remains somewhat crippled because we did not know yet about

>Dr. Ponseti and Everett who enjoys perfect feet thanks to Dr. Ponseti.

>

>Harvey and June Reese of Oklahoma, parents of one clubfooted child,

>Mark, who remains with crippled feet because no one knew about the

>Ponseti method.

>

>Leroy Reese of Oklahoma, father of one clubfooted son, Greg, who

>remains with crippled feet because no one knew about the Ponseti method.

>

> and Faith Slattery of Utah. Parents of , born in Guam

>21 Apr 04 with bilateral, atypical clubfeet. Traveled to Hawaii and

>then Atlanta only to be told surgery was needed. At seven months we

>went to Iowa to see Ponseti. He has had beautiful, pain-free feet since!

>

> and C. Grindon of Wentzville, MO. Parents of Jenna, and

>, right clubfoot beautifully and perfectly corrected with the

>Ponseti method by Dobbs, M.D. in St. Louis, MO.

>

>Naomi and of Arcata, CA. Parents of Jonah Auden ,

>born 06/20/2003 with bilateral clubfoot, now fully corrected thanks to

>physicians following the Ponseti protocol.

>

>Kori and Dirk Rush of Portland, OR. Parents of Darbi Ruth Rush, born

>3/28/03 with Unilateral Right Clubfoot. Treated non-surgically with

>the Ponseti Method by Dr. Sussman at Shriners Hospital in

>Portland, Oregon. 5 initial casts and now continuing FAB bracing till

>she's 3-1/2 years old. Her foot is so perfect she has no idea there's

>anything wrong at all and there's no way are we going to let that foot

>change! We love the FAB! We are so thankful for Dr. Ponseti and the

>information he gave us. He is, an Angel from Heaven on earth!

>

> & McLaughlin of Iowa City, IA, parents of Jakob Elijah

>McLaughlin born 2/9/1998 with bilateral clubfoot. Successful treatment

>started at 9 days old with Dr. Stuart Weinstein. We also started the

>nosurgery4clubfoot mailing list when it became

>apparent how many families were coming to see Dr. Ponseti and needed

>support.

>

> and Allyson Egbert and (6 1/2 years old and doing great,

>born March 17, 1999).

>http://www.vh.org/pediatric/patient/orthopaedics/clubfeet/egbert.html

>

> & Consider of Pennsylvania, parents of one clubfooted

>daughter, Olivia, who has perfect feet after treatment by Dr. Ponseti.

>We begged and borrowed to go to Iowa after 4 months of failed

>traditional casting and three different doctors telling us surgery was

>the only answer. Those doctors were wrong.

>

>Bess and Ecelbarger, Tucson, AZ, parents of Audrey, bilateral

>clubfoot, treated with the Ponseti method.

>

> and Houdek of Minneapolis, MN, parents of one

>clubfooted son, Aleksander, with two beautiful feet thanks to the

>Ponseti method.

>

>Kathleen and Fulcher, parents to , born with

>bilateral clubfeet; Ponseti method treatment and straight tootsies!

>

>Rick and Marcia of Kissimmee, FL, parents of one clubfooted

>daughter, Janelyse, with two precious and functioning feet thanks to

>the Ponseti method.

>

> and Shook, parents to , who has successfully been

>treated with the Ponseti method, after restarting her treatment at 5

>months with a qualified Ponseti method physician, thus saving her from

>unnecessary surgery.

>

> and Pam of Hanson, KY. Parents of ,

>bilateral clubfoot, treated with Ponseti method by Dr Dobbs in

>St. Louis, MO.

>

>Corey and New, parents of Lily, whose left clubfoot has been

>beautifully corrected with the Ponseti method.

>

>Mollie Vanderkarr, mother of , born 4/04 with a left clubfoot and

>treated by Dr. Ponseti. He began treating my daughter's clubfoot

>after 4 futile months of visiting a local Chicago doctor who " used the

>Ponseti method " . I am so proud to have her walking today at 16 months

>of age!

>

> and Goodin of Indiana: one son, , with clubfeet

>successful treated with the Ponseti method.

>

>Stella & Philip , parents to , atypical bilateral

>clubfeet, treated in the UK by a Ponseti trained consultant, Naomi

>. is 13 months old, and has just started walking with

>lovely straight, pain-free gorgeous feet!

>

> & Kline, from Pennsylvania, parents of Ava Kline, born

>8/4/04 with a right clubfoot, now a beautiful straight foot thanks to

>the Ponseti method.

>

>Tony and Joanne Fuller, Findlay Ohio, parents to Alaya, age 4, born

>with severe bilateral clubfeet, now with perfect feet. Treated by Dr.

>Ponseti in Iowa beginning at five days old with four casts. Corrected

>by 7 weeks of age.

>

> Nicoll and my son Noah Awad of California, he was successfully

>treated with the Ponseti method. He was born on March 20th 2005 with

>left clubfoot.

>

>Doug and Shelley Lapp, parents of Evan who was born with bilateral

>clubfoot, treated successfully with the Ponseti method, and now at age

>5, approaches the speed of light when running!

>

> and Jeff Steinert of Maine. Parents of

>-Steinert born with bilateral clubfoot, who was treated

>unsuccessfully by an orthopedic surgeon for nine months before finding

>Dr. Mack at Shriner's Hospital in Springfield, MA. Dr. Mack saved

> from unnecessary surgery and gave him perfect feet using the

>Ponseti method.

>

>Moshe and Leah parents of sha (3/3/90) very stiff and

>painful feet, due to surgeries to " correct " bilateral clubfeet, Eli

>(4/24/05) unilateral clubfoot. Happy little boy with fantastic feet

>corrected by Dr. Ponseti, and 7 other children who all tell their

>friends about a wonderful doctor in Iowa that fixed their brother and

>made their parents smile again!

>

> and s parents of , born with bilateral

>clubfoot, treated unsuccessfully in Texas for one year which led us to

>Iowa where after 3 castings with Dr. Ponseti, she has perfectly

>corrected feet without the need of surgery. We saved up, fought with

>our insurance, drove through 4 states in the winter, AND IT WAS WORTH

>IT ALL!

>

> Suzarrey mother to Diego born 3/24/05 with bilateral clubfoot.

> Began unsuccessful treatment with a doctor who claims to use the

>Ponseti method but is not properly trained. Currently Diego is being

>treated by Dr Ponseti and will continue treatment with a skilled,

>trained doctor: Dr. Kent in Tucson, AZ.

>

>Caroline Park and Roger Nye - parents of Zeke. Zeke traveled from

>Samoa to Nebraska at age 6 months with his new family. Dr. Ponseti

>began treatment at 6.5 months for bilateral clubfoot, and now at 2 1/4

>months, Zeke just climbed his first mountain walking, climbing and

>running all on his own.

>

>ph and Grush of Malta, Idaho. Parents of Tenny Grush

>7/15/04 right clubfoot. Perfectly corrected with the Ponseti method by

>Dr. Buzz Showalter, M.D. of Boise, Idaho.

>

> K., mom to Claire 01-16-04 (atypical bilateral clubfoot),

>treated by Dr. Ponseti at 6 months old.

>

>Kathy Bruce and Bates, Brighton UK. Parents to Ethan,

>bilateral, atypical clubfoot. Successfully undertaking Ponseti method

>treatment after being transferred to Naomi - Ponseti trained

>Doctor, Manchester UK.

>

>Michele and Yoder. Parents to 4 year old Collin, unilateral

>right clubfoot. Began Ponseti method at age 2 with a Ponseti method

>trained doctor.

>

>Stacie and Jay Rich of Draper, Utah. Parents of one clubfooted son,

>Jordan son, with a perfectly corrected clubfoot by a well trained

>doctor: Dr. King in Tarzana, CA, thanks to Dr. Ponseti's brilliance.

>

> and Kittredge, parents to 3-28-01 perfect feet

>and 3-1-05 left clubfoot corrected by Ponseti method (Ponseti

>certified Dr. in Michigan). I think of Dr. Ponseti often and the

>wonderful gift he has given to countless families and little children.

>I just wish that I could meet him in person to thank him.

>

>Kurt and Jenni Cypher, parents of Kelsey, age 2, unsuccessfully

>treated by non-Ponseti doctor. Foot now beautiful and perfect thanks

>to Ponseti method administered by Dr. Diane Von Stein in Cincinnati, Ohio.

>

>Rob and Bridget Hammer, Findlay, OH. Parents of Rachael born with

>bilateral clubfoot, corrected by Dr. Ponseti and the Ponseti method.

>Rachael now has beautiful & functional feet.

>

> Remington and Gilles Watts, proud parents to Grace Jane Marie

>Watts born July 21,2004 with right unilateral clubfoot. Treated

>successfully with the Ponseti method by an amazing doctor: Dr. Pirani,

>in Vancouver Canada. Many years ago, he used to perform surgery to

>treat clubfoot (which unfortunately is the standard with non-Ponseti

>trained doctors) and now apologizes to his patients he operated on for

>not knowing about the Ponseti method in time to treat them.

>

>Steve and Moss, parents of born with bilateral

>clubfoot. In April 2003, we flew 10,000 miles with from

>Johannesburg, South Africa for treatment by Dr Ponseti in Iowa City

>USA. is now 2 years 7 months old, his feet are strong, flexible

>and pain-free thanks to the wonderful Dr Ponseti and his team.

>www.clubfoot.co.za

>

> and Gerace, parents to Christian , born on

>January 30, 2004 with left unilateral clubfoot. He was successfully

>treated with the Ponseti method by Dr. Herzenberg of Sinai

>Hospital in Baltimore, MD.

>

>Craig & Hundley from San , TX. Parents to Aidan

>Hundley born 8/5/04 with bilateral clubfoot. He has been treated

>successful by Dr Kahn & Dr. Shapiro in Austin TX. His feet look great

>and just on the verge of walking, he cruises around anything that will

>stand still for 5 seconds and he's fast. Thanks to the dedicated work

>of one tireless and selfless man!

>

>Raek & Jennipher Assria - Proud parents to Lhea E. Assria, born

>5/28/04 with bilateral clubfoot which was caught at our 11 week

>ultrasound. Treated at 6 days old, casting & tenotomy although it was

>unsuccessful (as we observed and spoke with parents of the no surgery

>websites) with a local doctor (which we interviewed and knew about the

>Ponseti method) but then treated successfully with Dr. Ponseti at 3

>months of age. Now walking at 15 months with Perfect Feet!!!!!

>

>Rodney and Ciccione of Hampshire, Illinois, parents of Avery

>Lynn born at 32 weeks with a left clubfoot and started the Ponseti

>casting procedure a month after birth weighing just under five pounds.

>She has perfect feet now thanks to Dr. Ponseti and all of the doctors

>he has taught his expertise to!

>

>Jim and Marilouise Tozier, parents of , born with left

>clubfoot. Treated sucessfully with the Ponseti method by Dr.

>Herzenberg starting at 10 months old after prior unsuccessful treatment.

>

>Nicki & Cort Dugan of San Francisco, parents of unilateral clubfooted

>son, Farley, who has beautiful feet, fully corrected using the Ponseti

>method at just seven weeks of age. And unlike less fortunate babies

>treated with other methods, no need for invasive, debilitating surgery!

>

>Glen & Anne Bingham, parents to Ian. Born with left clubfoot.

>Unsuccessfully treated by two physicians claiming to use the Ponseti

>method. Successfully treated at 18 months old by Dr. Ponseti.

>

>

>

> > I am finally catching up on old posts. I missed the whole discussion on

> > the 3-wishes. I went to the files section but I am unable to open the

> > doc unfortunately my wordpad is causing problems.

> > I am hoping someone could open it, copy and paste it and send it to me

> > directly. It would be greatly appreciated.

> >

> > Kari

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Halley,

Yes, this was submitted for the 3 wishes tv show.

> > > I am finally catching up on old posts. I missed the whole

discussion on

> > > the 3-wishes. I went to the files section but I am unable to

open the

> > > doc unfortunately my wordpad is causing problems.

> > > I am hoping someone could open it, copy and paste it and send it

to me

> > > directly. It would be greatly appreciated.

> > >

> > > Kari

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Halley,

Yes, this was submitted for the 3 wishes tv show.

> > > I am finally catching up on old posts. I missed the whole

discussion on

> > > the 3-wishes. I went to the files section but I am unable to

open the

> > > doc unfortunately my wordpad is causing problems.

> > > I am hoping someone could open it, copy and paste it and send it

to me

> > > directly. It would be greatly appreciated.

> > >

> > > Kari

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Ok.. I'm 1200 emails behind.. Has this been sent yet????? I would love to have

included. Please let me know if this is possible..

Thanks a bunch!

-------------- Original message --------------

Hi Halley,

Yes, this was submitted for the 3 wishes tv show.

> > > I am finally catching up on old posts. I missed the whole

discussion on

> > > the 3-wishes. I went to the files section but I am unable to

open the

> > > doc unfortunately my wordpad is causing problems.

> > > I am hoping someone could open it, copy and paste it and send it

to me

> > > directly. It would be greatly appreciated.

> > >

> > > Kari

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Ok.. I'm 1200 emails behind.. Has this been sent yet????? I would love to have

included. Please let me know if this is possible..

Thanks a bunch!

-------------- Original message --------------

Hi Halley,

Yes, this was submitted for the 3 wishes tv show.

> > > I am finally catching up on old posts. I missed the whole

discussion on

> > > the 3-wishes. I went to the files section but I am unable to

open the

> > > doc unfortunately my wordpad is causing problems.

> > > I am hoping someone could open it, copy and paste it and send it

to me

> > > directly. It would be greatly appreciated.

> > >

> > > Kari

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

,

Yes, it was sent in early last week. I think some people are

submitting their own nomination - if you want to do that it would be

great, I figure the more the merrier!

> > > > I am finally catching up on old posts. I missed the whole

> discussion on

> > > > the 3-wishes. I went to the files section but I am unable to

> open the

> > > > doc unfortunately my wordpad is causing problems.

> > > > I am hoping someone could open it, copy and paste it and send it

> to me

> > > > directly. It would be greatly appreciated.

> > > >

> > > > Kari

> > >

> > >

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

Yes, it was sent in early last week. I think some people are

submitting their own nomination - if you want to do that it would be

great, I figure the more the merrier!

> > > > I am finally catching up on old posts. I missed the whole

> discussion on

> > > > the 3-wishes. I went to the files section but I am unable to

> open the

> > > > doc unfortunately my wordpad is causing problems.

> > > > I am hoping someone could open it, copy and paste it and send it

> to me

> > > > directly. It would be greatly appreciated.

> > > >

> > > > Kari

> > >

> > >

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

Wow......What a wonderful letter! Thanks for posting it for me.

I wish I could have submitted my info especially knowing first hand

how surgery effects the feet. Thanks again.

Kari

> > I am finally catching up on old posts. I missed the whole

discussion on

> > the 3-wishes. I went to the files section but I am unable to open

the

> > doc unfortunately my wordpad is causing problems.

> > I am hoping someone could open it, copy and paste it and send it

to me

> > directly. It would be greatly appreciated.

> >

> > Kari

[Guest guest]

,

Wow......What a wonderful letter! Thanks for posting it for me.

I wish I could have submitted my info especially knowing first hand

how surgery effects the feet. Thanks again.

Kari

> > I am finally catching up on old posts. I missed the whole

discussion on

> > the 3-wishes. I went to the files section but I am unable to open

the

> > doc unfortunately my wordpad is causing problems.

> > I am hoping someone could open it, copy and paste it and send it

to me

> > directly. It would be greatly appreciated.

> >

> > Kari