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She spent her childhood indoors. Now she’s back where she belongs.

At nine, Baindu lived with painful, severely bowed legs that made walking difficult. Teasing eventually pushed her out of school and kept her indoors.

Country Freetown, Sierra Leone
Age 9
Treatment Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
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Meet Baindu

Growing up in Sierra Leone, Baindu wanted to do what other children around her did: go to school, play with friends and help her family.

But her bowed legs made everyday activities painful and difficult. She needed help with simple tasks, and the comments from other children eventually became so hurtful that she stopped going to school.

Whenever I went outdoors, I was ridiculed by people. That's why I was always indoors.
Baindu
  • Pain and teasing kept Baindu from many of the everyday experiences other children around her enjoyed.

Pain and teasing kept Baindu from many of the everyday experiences other children around her enjoyed.

From painful steps to walking with confidence

Aboard the Global Mercy™, Baindu was diagnosed with Blount's disease, a condition affecting the growth of her legs. She underwent surgery to correct the severe curve, followed by months of rehabilitation.

Recovery took patience. Baindu progressed from careful first steps to balancing, climbing stairs and walking with growing confidence.

  • Baindu arrived aboard the Global Mercy™ with her grandmother, ready to begin treatment.

Baindu arrived aboard the Global Mercy™ with her grandmother, ready to begin treatment.

Back to school. Back to being Baindu.

After five months of treatment and rehabilitation, Baindu returned home. And eventually, she returned to a place she had once felt she had to leave: school.

Now she can learn, play with her friends and think about what she wants to become.

The thing I hope for in the future is to become a doctor, because doctors heal people.
Baindu
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Help make another child's next step possible

For Baindu, surgery meant more than straighter legs. It meant returning to school, playing with her friends and moving through life with new confidence.

For other children, the surgical care they need is still out of reach. Your gift can help make life-changing surgery and rehabilitation possible, giving more children the chance to learn, play and take their own steps toward the future.

Help make the next story possible.

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See where healing can lead