Lilyanna was born with clubfoot, a condition that affects about one baby in every 1,000 in the United States. Clubfoot is a birth defect that causes a child’s foot to point inward instead of forward. Clubfoot is painless in a baby, but it can eventually cause discomfort and become a noticeable disability. Sometimes only one foot is affected, but often both feet have the condition. Left untreated, clubfoot does not straighten itself out. The foot will remain twisted out of shape, and the affected leg may be shorter and smaller than the other. Treatment that begins shortly after birth can help overcome these problems.
Lilyanna made her first flight with Wings of Hope in July, 2013 when she was only 4 months old. Since then, Wings of Hope has flown her 32 times from her home in Hill City, KS to St. Louis Shriners Hospital for treatment. She is a veteran flyer! The family reached out to Wings of Hope due to the distance (568 miles = 8+ hours), the frequency of trips and an undependable vehicle. Today, Lilyanna’s feet are straight and she can walk normally. Just one more example of the important work done by the MAT Program!
