By the age of 10 years old, Fudia had grown accustomed to the daily struggles of walking with severe bowed legs, including the curious looks from people and the ridicule of children in her community.

According to Joseph, Fudia’s uncle and guardian, she was born with the orthopedic condition. “We noticed it the very first day she was born; her legs were not normal,” he shared. In their hometown in Sierra Leone, it is believed that continuous massaging of the legs with warm water will straighten out the legs, but despite this care, Fudia’s legs only became more bowed as she grew.

Amidst dealing with this lifelong challenge, Fudia tragically became an orphan at the age of 7 when her mother passed away, nearly two years after her father’s death. Her circumstances left her facing physical, emotional, and social difficulties both in school and in her community.

Early life struggles

Fudia evidently grew up in the face of difficulty. She barely smiled or looked at ease. She could not start school alongside her peers because of her condition; when she eventually did, other students were uncomfortable around her and often mocked her. “She got rejected in school by her friends and colleagues. Even after changing schools because of that, she was still suffering mockery from people,” her uncle said.

He eventually found a private school that took Fudia in and made deliberate efforts to ensure a conducive and ridicule-free learning environment for her. Instructions from the school leadership meant that no student could mock Fudia.

Out in her community, the 10-year-old would occasionally get into fights with children who provoked her. “Normally when she is mocked in the community, she used to fight in her own way,” her uncle explained. Living and looking different from other kids took a toll on her self-esteem and confidence, leaving Fudia with few friends.

Though there were some activities and games she could not fully participate in because of her physical limitations, Fudia was loved and cared for at home. “Everyone at home is friendly with her and treats her nicely. They all play together at home,” her uncle shared. The strong, resilient, and hardworking Fudia would not let these challenges keep her from doing everyday things, like cooking rice, pounding pepper, and helping with the house chores.

The quest for treatment

Fudia’s mother was still alive when her uncle first brought her to Freetown in search of further treatment once they realized that traditional remedies were not working. During this time, they sought care at local hospitals, one of which recommended they wait for the return of Mercy Ships to Sierra Leone. “We don’t have such specialists in this country, that was what they said,” her uncle reported.

He then decided to move her from the village to stay with him in Freetown, “I decided to keep Fudia with me, hoping that Mercy Ships will one day come for her to get surgery. She has been living with me for six years now,” he shared.

Sadly, Fudia’s mother passed away in the process of the six-year wait. Her uncle, who works in building and construction, stayed committed and convinced that Mercy Ships would return. Having accompanied an older uncle to get surgery aboard the Africa Mercy® during a past field service, he was familiar with Mercy Ships’ vision of bringing hope and healing, and believed that one day Fudia would experience the same.

New life beckons

The light at the end of the long tunnel finally flashed in 2023, when Joseph learned about the coming of Mercy Ships’ hospital ship, the Global Mercy™, to Freetown. A concerned military captain was the first to send him a message about the exciting development, so Joseph quickly brought Fudia for registration at the closest center.

Her uncle was excited when she was selected for surgery on the ship. “I was very happy, because I want her to be okay. I want to see her standing straight on both legs.” Full of hope and anticipation, he remembers their first time on the ship, saying, “I was really happy about the way they accepted us.”

Dr. Belen Carsi, a volunteer pediatric orthopedic surgeon from Spain, explained that Fudia’s condition was the result of Blount’s disease – a multi-factorial disease that causes the lower leg to angle inward, leading to deformity in early walkers and adolescents. “Fudia’s legs were so deformed that her ability to walk was really limited. Her feet pointed inside 90 degrees,” Dr. Carsi shared. And if left untreated, “she would have stop walking altogether.”

Fudia presented one of the most severe orthopedic cases for the 2023-24 Sierra Leone field service. “It was a big surgery and she needed it on both legs,” Dr. Carsi explained. The successful surgery to correct Fudia’s legs lasted over four hours. “She was under general anesthetic for many hours and had long leg casts for many weeks.”

Worth the wait

“When I heard that her surgery was successful, I was happy thinking about the way her legs were turned before, and seeing them straight now,” her uncle shared. “I am really happy and overjoyed for all that has happened for Fudia.”

Fudia’s recovery and rehabilitation was a long and often emotional journey, with unforeseen delays, and additional wound care and rehab activities required. Nonetheless, her strength and resilience remained evident every step of the way.

“Fudia is a strong girl. This is very impressive. It’s the longest I’ve seen any of these kids stand during their first rehab appointment after surgery,” shared Declan Osborne, a volunteer physical therapist.

Fudia gained approximately 14 centimeters (5.5 inches) in height after the surgery, growing taller and stronger day by day. The look in her eyes became radiant, shining above a bright smile that spoke to Fudia’s new life after many years of waiting.

According to Massa, Fudia’s aunt and caregiver on the ship, “Fudia is no longer the way she when she had the bowed legs. Her friends used to mock and provoke her. She was even ashamed to go to school. But now, no more shame. She plays with her friends always. She is better than before.”

The 10-year-old can now walk by herself without struggling and is set to resume school, with hopes for the future set high: “I want to be a doctor, so that I can help other people,” she shared.