Awareness makes quality
Our approach to building knowledge about clubfoot and improving the quality of treatment for this deformity
involves precisely and comprehensively explaining complex medical concepts, creating effective solutions for parents during their child’s treatment,
and consistently striving toward our goal.
We follow children with clubfoot, at the same time going ahead and meeting them.
When we started our activities in 2016 as a grassroots initiative by parents, knowledge about congenital clubfoot in our country was at a low level. There was no reliable website from which parents, as well as specialists, could obtain accurate information about clubfoot and the Ponseti method. We decided to change this effectively. The result of our years of learning, searching, observing, analyzing, relying on medical sources, and numerous consultations and experiences is this website. We ensure that the information it contains is of the highest quality and truthful.
We observed within the small community of parents on Facebook, gathered around this condition, that there was a lack of basic knowledge about the condition and the Ponseti method. Misinformation and chaos prevailed. Many children were using low-quality orthopaedic equipment to maintain correction, and relapses often occurred due to a lack of awareness about the foot abduction brace, how to use it, and how proper treatment should proceed. High-quality orthopedic equipment was difficult to obtain and very expensive. We were overwhelmed by a wave of poor treatment, leading to invasive surgeries that were neither necessary nor should have been required.
We also discovered gaps in basic knowledge and approaches to treating this deformity within the medical community, resulting in the transmission of false information, inconsistent with medical knowledge, and neglect of the issue, leading to poor treatment and complications. Thanks to the knowledge we share with parents, the approach of doctors from various specialties is also changing.
Reliability and Precision
Our value is reliability and precision. This is the basis for building knowledge for us.
The basis of our website is the original publication by Dr. Ignacio Ponseti: "Congenital clubfoot. Fundamentals of treatment", originally published in 1996 and re-edited in 2000.
We are also in contact with many doctors around the world for whom the Ponseti method holds no secrets.
We constantly ensure that the website contains the most up-to-date information, references to valuable medical studies and studies. This makes it probably the best source of information about congenital clubfoot and its non-invasive treatment - the Ponseti method.
Strong community
The best support for a parent is another parent ("parent to parent support"), who naturally accompanies them throughout the entire treatment process, sharing experience, advice, and attention. We run an active support group for Polish parents of children with congenital clubfoot, where we share knowledge about the condition and its treatment, which is even more comprehensive than the basic information found on our website. In the parent group, you will find expanded discussions on many topics, their in-depth justification, further insights, and concrete examples. You'll also find advice, opinions, and meet exceptional parents!
Together
We organize World Clubfoot Day – a nationwide meeting and picnic for families with children who have congenital clubfoot, where parents can meet, talk, exchange experiences, spend time together, and, in the process, learn something interesting. Because being together is important to us. We also organize local meetings in various cities to reach parents who are unable to attend our national picnic. We want to listen to their concerns, offer solutions, and transform poor treatment and care into high-quality care.
We motivate and we monitor
We strive to motivate medical professionals to focus on the original method of treatment—the Ponseti method—rather than its "versions."
We collaborate with doctors who treat clubfoot using the Ponseti method and have completed the appropriate courses and training.
We monitor their treatment and progress, observing the outcomes in our group.
We draw conclusions and share them.
We listen to the challenges.
Sometimes, together, we search for solutions. We also conduct training for physiotherapists and doctors.
We patronize
Access to high-quality orthopaedic equipment for maintaining correction after the first stage of treatment is important to us.
In Poland, the first shop selling Mitchell boots, Mitchell braces, and other accessories useful during the treatment of a child with clubfoot has been established.
The shop is an official and authorized distributor of quality equipment for children with this condition, provided by MD Orthopaedics.
Although the store is not part of our Foundation, it fully aligns with our goals.
The Foundation has taken honorary patronage over the Clubfoot Factory shop.
We accompany through the next stage of treatment
Access to high-quality orthopaedic equipment for maintaining correction in older children who have completed their treatment with a foot abduction brace and require support for subsequent stages of treatment aligns with our goal of ensuring the mobility and health of all children. In Poland, the first shop offering modern ADM orthoses and targeted medical/therapeutic supplies useful throughout the treatment of a child with clubfoot at every stage has been established. The shop is an official and authorized distributor of quality equipment for children with this condition, provided by C-Pro Direct.
Although the store is not part of our Foundation, it fully aligns with our goals.
We cooperate
Cooperation with other organizations with similar goals motivates us to constantly develop. Together with many European countries, we are creating a community aimed at improving the quality of treatment for children with congenital clubfoot in Europe. We learn from each other and inspire one another. We strive to find optimal solutions.
Thanks to cooperation with other organizations, we are able to accomplish more, faster, and more efficiently. By joining forces, we have a real impact on change and on effectively educating others about clubfoot and the Ponseti method.
Metatarsus adductus
We also provide expert support for children with metatarsus adductus, creating effective solutions for them, including a website in English and supporting parents through a Facebook group we have created.
One idea
We make sure that children wear appropriate footwear that follows their natural development of the foot. This applies to all children, therefore we promote ideas related to barefooting, i.e. walking barefoot or in shoes that do not restrict foot movements. We consider these shoes as a value, as well as supporting the natural development of the little foot. We work with specialists who constantly acquire knowledge, pass it on and thus change the health of little feet.
We ensure that children wear appropriate footwear that supports the natural development of their feet. This applies to all children, which is why we promote the concept of barefooting—walking barefoot or in shoes that do not restrict foot movement. We consider such shoes, as well as supporting the natural development of young feet, to be valuable. We collaborate with specialists who constantly acquire knowledge, share it, and, in doing so, improve the health of young feet.
Quality that changes
It is impossible to list all the things we do. There are many. Some are as small as a drop of water. But we know that, just like how a drop by drop can carve through rock and change its shape, our actions change how congenital clubfoot is perceived by parents and specialists. Since 2016, we have made many changes—the effects of these changes can be observed and monitored every day. We draw conclusions from our actions, optimizing them and adapting to the needs of parents of children with the condition, the children themselves, and those who treat these children.
We surround ourselves with extraordinary people to achieve extraordinary results. We learn from the best and draw on their experiences. We are innovative because we believe it is worth giving everything to teach parents about conscious treatment and responsibility. Every day, we are motivated by the healthy feet of children and the feeling that we can achieve anything if we truly want it. We are convinced that only those who are authentic and act responsibly can achieve lasting success in the long term.
The changes we have made are our achievement.
Make a donation to help us successfully continue our mission!
Support us!
Organizing meetings for parents, whether national or local, maintaining international collaborations, and supporting initiatives in other countries, as well as taking care of the Mitchell shoes we lend out, their maintenance, and repairs, all consume part of our funds. Your support will help us continue to assist further and on a larger scale, maintain the equipment in our rental service, and establish new collaborations for the benefit of children with clubfoot.