NAME: Kia‘i
CONDITION: TALIPES EQUINOVARUS (CLUBFOOT)
LOCATION: HAWAI‘I
Kiaʻi was born with talipes equinovarus, commonly known as clubfoot. His tūtū (grandmother), Napua, knew just where to turn. “My cousin was treated at Shriners Children’s, and I witnessed her exceptional care,” she recalled. “I wanted the best for Kiaʻi, so I called Shriners Children’s for an appointment.”
At only 20 days old, Kiaʻi received his first gentle manipulation and cast to straighten his tiny feet. For the next several weeks, he and Napua traveled more than 200 miles from Hilo to Honolulu for new casts at Shriners Children’s Hawaiʻi.
Kia‘i is quite the fisherman — he recently landed a yellowfin tuna bigger than himself! His grandparents are helping Kia‘i embrace his traditional Hawaiian heritage through such activities as surfing, competitive swimming and attending a Hawaiian immersion school.
“The serial (progressive) casting process is the biggest hurdle for any child with clubfoot,” explained pediatric orthopedic surgeon Jonathan Pellett, M.D. “But Kiaʻi tolerated it remarkably well.”
After graduating to a boot-and-bar brace, which he wore for two years, Kiaʻi embraced an active lifestyle. Napua encouraged activities that would build discipline, foster individuality and keep him connected to his Native Hawaiian roots — including learning ‘Olelo Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiian language. Kiaʻi developed a passion for the ukulele, surfing, fishing, swimming, wa‘a (canoeing) and Kajukenbo, a martial art created in Hawaiʻi. “Without Shriners Children’s, Kiaʻi wouldn’t be as independent as he is today,” Napua said.
When Kiaʻi was 7 and learning soccer, Napua noticed his legs turning inward again. She quickly contacted Dr. Pellett, who reapplied casts for five weeks, followed by physical therapy with Michele Chee, DPT, to strengthen his legs and ankles. Thanks to early intervention, Kiaʻi avoided surgery — rare, as most children with clubfoot need it. “As a surgeon, it’s almost a contradiction to say the best treatment for clubfoot is to avoid surgery through casting and bracing,” Dr. Pellett notes. “But in Kiaʻi’s case, that was true.”
Now 10, Kiaʻi continues to add new interests while dreaming big. “He loves swimming and wants to become a firefighter,” says Napua. “Nothing holds him back — I know he can achieve anything he desires.”
