The Becker Family's Clubfoot Journey
The Becker family learned something was wrong with their son's feet before he was born. During a 20-week pre-natal scan the Beckers' son Dylan was dianosed with clubfoot and their OBGYN referred them to Dr. Joshua Hyman at Columbia Unviersity Irving Medical Center.
Dr. Hyman and his team began treating Dylan at one week old, and for the next six weeks the Becker family came to NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital for casting sessions each week. The casting was followed by an Achilles tendon release surgery at 7 weeks old, and then Dylan started his journey in a boots & bar brace – which helps maintain the correction that has been achieved with casting and tendon release surgery. In the beginning, Dylan wore the brace 24/7, with an hour break, and then gradually shifted to just nighttime wear over the years. Dylan wore his brace until he was 4.5 years old.
“Our experience working with Dr. Hyman, Amber Mizerk, PA, and the entire team has been amazing. Since our pre-natal visit, we felt informed and remained confident that our journey would be successful," said Dylan's mom, Lisa. Dylan is now 7 years old and enjoys riding his bike, playing basketball and is currently taking ice skating lessons, with hopes one day to learn ice hockey.
Dylan’s experience with clubfoot ended up teaching the Becker family a lot over the years. “This journey has not only been Dylan's, but it has been a family journey filled with opportunities for growth and learning for all of us. Going out in public with a newborn in two full leg casts can draw a lot of attention. Looking back at baby pictures of Dylan in full leg casts and wearing his brace often spark conversation among all of my 4 children. This journey has taught them the importance of seeing beyond someone's disability or the "thing" that makes them different and it continues to remind them to never judge someone by their outside appearance,” said Lisa.
“The advice I would give to other parents who were in my situation is, don't worry about the what ifs (what if my baby doesn't walk on time, what if clubfoot means my child can't play sports, etc.) and truly embrace every moment of this journey. Clubfoot is treatable, and behind every clubfoot kid, there is a great clubfoot parent/caregiver.”
