Ara Jane was born with an extremely rare congenital malformation known as genu recurvatum, in which her knees hyperextended dramatically backward. The condition prevented her from walking normally, so for many years she moved by supporting herself on her hands and feet.

Growing up in the Philippines, the severe backward bend of her legs caused pain and limited her mobility and opportunities. Local medical care was difficult to access, and her family could not afford the complex surgery needed to correct the deformity. She eventually dropped out of school and, at times, nearly lost hope of ever walking upright.

Help arrived through Tebow CURE Children’s Hospital of the Philippines. After evaluation at a mobile clinic, 15-year-old Ara Jane was scheduled for surgery at the hospital, roughly four hours from her home. Surgeons performed a demanding six-hour reconstructive procedure to straighten her legs, followed by casting to maintain the corrected position. The treatment was provided at no cost to her family through the support of CURE partners.

Recovery proved long and arduous. Ara Jane endured months of intensive physical therapy to strengthen her core and hips and to relearn how to stand and walk on newly aligned legs. Progress came in small increments—first holding a stand for a few seconds, then longer periods—until she took her first independent steps.

Today, years after beginning treatment, Ara Jane walks without the earlier pain, has returned to school, spends time with friends, helps with household chores, and moves about her community with greater independence. Her story has been shared internationally by CURE International as a powerful example of effort, perseverance, and the life-changing impact of specialized surgical care for children with treatable disabilities.

Ara Jane’s transformation from crawling to walking underscores both the challenges of rare congenital orthopedic conditions and the profound difference that timely, accessible reconstructive surgery and dedicated rehabilitation can make.

Sources

• CURE International reports and related coverage on Ara Jane’s congenital genu recurvatum, years of mobility limited to crawling on hands and feet, six-hour reconstructive surgery at Tebow CURE Children’s Hospital of the Philippines, prolonged rehabilitation, and subsequent ability to walk and resume daily activities