Panha, age 6 1/2, and Hay Leap, age 7 1/2, just had surgery last fall, done by a Belgian-trained Cambodian orthopedist in Cambodia. They are walking flat-footed on their affected legs for the first time in their lives!

Both boys have been in our Roteang Orphanage family for quite awhile—Panha for 6 years, and Hay Leap for 3 years. We have had to wait until the right surgeon, trained well in children’s orthopedics, was available.

When Panha arrived he could not even roll over, never smiled, and had obviously been sidelined because of his disabilities. He had apparently had a stroke at birth and his whole right side was crippled. His patient nanny, Chenda, worked and worked with him— getting him to roll over, then to sit, then finally to his feet and walking on tip toes. She taught him to feed himself, enjoy books, and mingle happily with the other children. He now can climb the jungle gym, pulling up with his good hand, and he talks well, and can take care of all his activities of daily living.

Hay Leap, who has cerebral palsy, has somewhat limited learning ability, but is a happy boy. He unfortunately also has HIV, undoubtedly from maternal infection, but he gets his antiretrovirals twice a day along with our other HIV/AIDS kids, and is medically very stable. He will have his other heel cord fixed in December. Panha and Hay Leap can lead much more normal lives now and they are very pleased with their flat feet.

TSF arranged and paid for the surgery and physical therapy that is an essential concomitant. Panha and Hay Leap each had his own nanny with him full time in the hospital. Their sponsors are pleased too!