A schoolgirl with severely bowed legs had life-changing surgery to straighten them - and it made her 14cm taller. Fudia, 10, was born with a progressive orthopedic condition that worsened over time and caused her feet to turn inwards at a 90-degree angle. It made it extremely difficult and painful for her to walk and she was bullied for her difference.
Local hospitals rejected her until eventually her uncle and guardian, Joseph, realized his last hope was surgery by - an international hospital charity. Fudia, orthopedics patient, during a home visit after her surgery. (Mercy Ships via SWNS) He and Fudia moved to Freetown, Sierra Leone, so they could get help the next time Mercy Ships docked there - and waited for six years until it returned in 2023.
On board, Fudia was diagnosed with Blount's disease, which causes severe leg deformities. British volunteer surgeon Rachel Buckingham performed a four-hour procedure on Fudia on board Global Mercy in January. The op fully straightened her legs and left her able to walk with confidence - as well as making her 14cm (5.
5in) taller. Joseph said: “We noticed it the very first day she was born - her legs were not normal. “She got rejected in school by her friends and colleagues.
"Even after changing schools because of that, she was still suffering mockery from people. Fudia before surgery. (Mercy Ships via SWNS) "When she was selected for surgery, I was very happy.
I wanted her to be OK and I wanted to see her standing straight. "Wh.