Help #RENNYTOK and his family on our clubfoot journey

Greetings! We are the parents of #RENNYTOK, a child born with bilateral club feet. Our son, Rennen, entered the world at the onset of the pandemic in 2020, and we narrowly managed to leave the hospital just as lockdowns were being implemented at most medical facilities. Consequently, we were unable to secure the necessary care for him immediately after his birth, which did not occur until approximately a year later.

Normally, a child diagnosed with club foot begins the casting and correction process shortly after birth. However, Rennen's first casting did not take place until he was around 7 months old, and it lasted for about 8 weeks, whereas it is more common to cast for 4-6. We faced challenges in accessing specialist care due to the restrictions imposed on public services during the Covid pandemic. Despite our efforts, we experienced significant delays as we needed to undergo Covid testing as a family and awaited medical clearance. Thus, we commenced our treatment in Grand Rapids, Michigan, later than most children born with club feet.

Once our journey began, we encountered numerous obstacles due to the state of emergency, which significantly postponed treatment in the early stages of his life. Consequently, we, as parents, endeavored to provide the best possible quality of life. At the time of Rennen's birth, I (the father) was employed in another state, commuting 3 hours daily until I secured local employment. Although I was reluctant to leave my previous company, the ongoing challenges posed by Covid necessitated not only a relocation but also a change in employers. By this time, we had already undergone several casting sessions, including one tenotomy, and we were aware that further procedures would be required due to the severe deformity of his feet.

Eventually, I obtained a local position at a manufacturing facility that provided excellent health insurance and a sustainable salary. This occurred when Rennen was approximately 1.5 years old, which was about a year later than the ideal timeline for club foot treatment.

In 2023, I (dad) underwent emergency back surgery, and our second daughter was born. This again placed a financial strain on our family. The majority of our insurance premiums were consumed by the back surgery and the arrival of Rennen's newest sister—insurance costs began to accumulate, and some of our bills were denied for the treatment of his feet. In the fall of 2023, Dad lost his job due to restructuring, along with the health insurance we depended on for our family's care. Although the children had secondary insurance through the state of Michigan, which ensured their health needs were met, we had to seek alternative care since our specialists could no longer provide services due to the loss of our primary insurance. The economic downturn and low workforce staffing made job hunting even more difficult. The company laid off 300 employees, and the local job market was already flooded with individuals seeking employment due to the economic situation. Not to mention the challenge of finding 'sustainable employment.'

In 2024, we were compelled to sell our home, which we had owned for nearly 17 years, due to financial difficulties. Most of the proceeds from the sale went towards settling past due debts and medical bills. We spent the majority of 2024 searching for a new place to live and full-time employment with benefits. In November 2024, Dad secured a job that supports the family, but we now needed to locate specialists who accepted our insurance. We moved to Ohio and found a team at Cincinnati Children's Hospital willing to take us on as patients.

After a few visits, we learned that tendon re-routing surgery was necessary, and we would be non-weight bearing for six weeks as a result. The surgery is scheduled for September. Dad has only two days left for time off since he has not yet completed his first year at the job. Mom is a stay-at-home mom but will take on most of the caregiving while Dad is at work during the day. One of our friends suggested starting a fundraiser to help alleviate some of the hardships we anticipate facing. This will include new shoes, braces, and durable medical equipment. Donations may even afford the ability for dad to take some time off and be home during this time.