Bullied for Limping—Now She Runs Free

17-year-old Cricel was born with a clubfoot.  At first, she limped as she walked on the side of that foot.  As she got older, she was forced to use crutches to get around. “I remember in fifth grade I got bullied a lot. They would imitate my limp and constantly called me ‘Cripple.’ That hurt me so much, but I still stayed in school.’”  

“My daughter came home from school crying and I couldn’t do anything,” Cricel’s mom Edwina told us. “So I cried with her.”

Cricel’s mom tried to find help for her daughter.  But medical care is scarce on the remote island in the Philippines where they live.  “The doctor on our island said that we would have to pay to take her to a big city AND we would have to pay for her treatment.  We didn’t have the money.”  

Then, Operation Blessing met Cricel through a connection at a local church.  Thanks to YOU, we paid for Cricel to receive the treatment she needed using the Ponseti Method, which used casts and surgery to reshape her foot and ankle. 

Now Cricel is able to walk normally, without a limp, and recently she even ran in her first marathon! 

“I go out. I walk. And I am no longer shy. I got a summer job. I am super happy! God gave me this opportunity and changed my life,” said Cricel. “A huge thank you to the people who helped me through Operation Blessing!”

Do you know that CBN partners can reach people around the world for Christ every day? We invite you to join us in ministry together as we provide financial support to those in need through our life-giving surgeries, food and clothing programs, humanitarian aid, and so much more! When you give today and become a CBN partner, you’ll help transform lives in the name of Jesus Christ! Join us now!