Born with a progressive orthopedic condition that caused her legs to bow severely inwards, Fudia faced not only physical limitations but also emotional hardship.
“We noticed it the very first day she was born,” shared Joseph, Fudia’s uncle and guardian.
The condition worsened over time, making walking increasingly difficult and leading to isolation from her peers. Unfortunately, local treatments proved ineffective. Determined to find a solution, Joseph relocated his family to the capital city, Freetown, after learning about Mercy Ships, a provider of free surgeries aboard hospital ships.
His persistence paid off. In 2023, the Global Mercy™ docked in Freetown, six years after their initial search. Doctors diagnosed Fudia with Blount’s disease and performed a successful corrective surgery.
“When I heard that her surgery was successful, I was overjoyed,” Joseph expressed, reflecting on Fudia’s pre-surgery state.
ABJ/ABJ