People born without limbs or who have suffered a limb trauma are invited by Team Anglia GB to particpate.

You can see more about Amputee Football by visiting www.theeafa.co.uk

They are holding a taster day at Whitton Sports Centre, Ipswich, Suffolk to kick off a regional awareness and player recruitment campaign in East Anglia. If you are interested please contact Simon Johnston on 07776 361195 to register.

We are hoping STEPS Baby Hip Health Week 13th - 19th March 2010 will help raise awareness amongst parents and health professionals of the vital need to check babies' hips during the first few weeks of life to prevent unnecessary pain and disability in later years.

As you may be aware we are asking parents like yourself to get involved with our campaign by distributing leaflets, getting local media coverage and perhaps host a 'Put the kettle on' fundraising event.

I recently advertised an Afternoon Tea in Central London for Mother's Day but it seems the date was a problem for many of you so I have now changed the date to the week after - Sunday 21st March 2010. It's a great excuse to treat yourself to some lovely food and help raise money for STEPS. Remember, to tell your friends and family, as everyone is welcome to attend.

Make a weekend of it!

The hotel have very kindly offered a discounted room rate of £119 for B & B based on 2 adults sharing a room. (family rooms are available but enquire for details). To book the hotel room only please contact the reservations team either by e-mail on hotel@hesperia-londonvictoria.com or on 02078348123 Option 1 to make a booking. mention you are booking for STEPS charity event so that the preferential rate can be offered.

We want to see more STEPS families, please call 01925 750271 today to book your tickets - they cost £15 per adult (inc £5 donation to STEPS) £5 per child - it's a bargain for an Afternoon Tea in Central London!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Link for hotel : www.hesperia.com/hotels/Hesperia-London-Victoria

PS: If you have requested a PTKO fundraising pack, can you please get in touch and let us know when you are hosting your event so that we can put a list on our website and forum pages. Please email julie@steps-charity.org.uk or call 01925 750271 with details.

This content has been removed.

Please click here to return to the homepage.

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED:

Whilst we are delighted with the progress we made with our Baby Hip Health Week Campaign 2009 the big problem is that the Trusts do not have to adopt the policies. In addition there is an ongoing issue with the GPs who operate as contractors and are not required to show their competency for a) carrying out the examination and b) awareness of the condition/ timings etc. which is why we still need your support.

"I put my faith completely in the health system that has denied my daughter a normal life." added Oonagh Keith

HELP US TO HELP OTHER PARENTS LIKE YOU:-

• Host a 'Put the Kettle on' event whereby you hold a tea/coffee morning at home, work or in the community to spread the word about our campaign and help raise vital funds at the same time
• Distribute the STEPS award winning leaflet on Baby Hip Health to your local surgery or clinic
• Get your story featured in a local magazine or newspaper to raise awareness. Alternatively send us your story and we will try and get media coverage for you.

Anyone wishing to get further advice, tell their story to the media, distribute leaflets or wanting to host a "Put the Kettle on" event please contact the STEPS helpline or email info@steps-charity.org.uk or phone 01925 750271

 To read more about the campaign, click here

Sue Banton, founder of the national charity STEPS, has received an MBE in the New Year Honours list in recognition of the selfless, groundbreaking work she has carried out over the past 30 years.

When Sue’s son Daniel was born with club feet, the frustration and isolation she faced motivated her to set up a self-help group in 1980, known as STEPS. Seven years later, STEPS became a national registered charity that today supports over 2,000 families a year who are affected by a lower limb condition (including Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) and Club Foot) and would otherwise have nowhere to turn.

STEPS has come a long way since the early days when Sue set up a helpline which she initially ran from her attic. As the charity celebrates its 30th anniversary, the helpline has now grown to include a wealth of information, a family contacts register and doctor database, plus the website, hosts an invaluable forum where stories are swapped, fundraising events are organised and support is given. 

Not only has Sue has been the driving force behind ensuring children receive the most appropriate treatment and that parents feel supported and understood, but she continues to be the strategic mind behind the continued development of STEPS.

Sue, said, “30 years ago I battled alone to support my son and challenge the accepted procedures and attitudes.  Dan had his first operation when he was just 7 weeks old and I felt very alone and decided I didn’t want another parent to feel that way. I am honored to receive this MBE but I could not have done it without the dedication and hard work of everyone involved with STEPS.

As we celebrate our 30th anniversary we will continue to help families not only in the UK, but around the world, and ensure they are supported in their time of need.”

Natalie Trice, parent of Lucas who has DDH, added, “When we received Lucas’s diagnosis we didn’t know anything about his condition or treatment. Finding STEPS has been a lifesaver for us and we are very grateful for the help and support we get, from both the staff and families who have been through the same thing. Sue really deserves her MBE - without STEPS we would be alone on our journey”.

Thanks to Sue, STEPS has become a highly respected national charity that continues to develop its services in response to the needs of parents and their children.

See Official Honours site: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_183673

NHS Newborn & Infant Physical Examination Programme (NIPE): how roll out of a national screening programme is informed by both midwives and parents.
Presented by: Professor Adrian Davis, Director NHS Newborn Hearing and Physical Examination Programmes   (standing in for Jane Sancho - NIPE Development Manager) & Oonagh Keith (STEPS parent).
This presentation is now available to download from our website: Click here

Anyone whose life has been touched by the medical condition called clubfoot will surely mourn the passing of Dr Ignacio Ponseti, a great and humanitarian doctor who revolutionised treatment for thousands of children across the world.  Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues and patients who will miss his gentle encouragement and sage advice.  He was the most approachable doctor who would respond to individual parents who would email his office with photos and questions concerning their child’s feet. He never failed to answer.

My son was grown-up and treated by the time we heard about the Ponseti method in the UK, but as a mother I really connected with the potential of the technique; not only for children in the UK but for the many thousands of children who are born in countries where there are no surgeons to treat these little feet.  I could see immediately how the Ponseti method was so ideally suited. So many have been inspired by his work and we all now have a duty to ensure children are no longer left disabled and in pain by a condition that is so eminently treatable regardless of where they are born.

Two years ago we published an interview with Dr Ponseti when he talked about his background, work and hopes for the future; you can read it at this link:  http://www.steps-charity.org.uk/downloads/Ponseti%20Interview%202007.pdf 

We will miss you Dr Ponseti, but your legacy will be all the thousands of little feet which now and in the future can dance, run and skip.

Dr Ignacio Ponseti June1914 – October 2009.

Sue Banton, Founder & Director STEPS Charity Worldwide

Add your tribute to Dr Ponseti on our Talipes-Clubfoot Forum thread: "Dr Ponseti, the end of an era, but not the end of his work"

Even if your child isn't currently undergoing treatment, the STEPS Christmas Party gives you a great opportunity to meet and connect with families who understand exactly what you are going through or what you have been through.

WHEN:

Saturday 5th December 2009

WHERE:

Holiday Inn, Telford/Ironbridge (not far from Midlands, Shropshire and Staffs)  from 12.00 - 3pm

Open Door Church, Sunbury (not far from central London, Richmond, Staines and Kingston) from 2pm -4pm

Both locations are easily accessible from major road networks and train stations.

DETAILS:

For booking forms and further information about either party venue please call 01925 750271 or email the STEPS office info@steps.charity.org.uk for details.

A FUN DAY OUT IS GUARANTEED!!!!!

At STEPS we are extremely grateful to anyone who has organised an event or given a voluntary donation to our charity. We rely on community fundraising and donations to support our work and without your generosity STEPS would simply cease to exist.

We understand that you are probably faced with requests for money from other various good causes and appreciate it would be impossible to support them all especially when money is tight due to the economic climate.

However, every penny counts to STEPS and we cannot thank you enough for helping us to help people like you. Take a look at the forthcoming events and if you can please get involved:

Many thanks for your support.

NOVEMBER

12/11/09   'Concessions of a Shopaholic' Shopping Evening, Cottons Hotel, Knutsford

                  The perfect opportunity to buy personal and unique gifts this Christmas

                  Tickets: £5.00 call the office 01925 750271 all proceeds to STEPS

DECEMBER

Saturday 05th December 2009  

A seasonal Charity Choral Concert featuring the Cheddar Male Voice Choir and introducing Newbury's Georgia Oldman (soloist) at 7pm

St George's Church, Wash Common, 206 Andover Rd, newbury

All monies raised for the STEPS Jane Bettridge Research Fund

Tickets and further information 01635 42701 or 01934 744481

06/12/09   The Aspire Chanel Swim www.justgiving.com/Ann-Vandenbroucke

If you are organising an event and would like to be included on this list please email julie@steps-charity.org.uk with your details.

At STEPS we are extremely grateful to anyone who has organised an event or given a donation to our charity. We rely mainly on community fundraising and donations to support our work and without your support we simply would not be able to continue.

Our Christmas cards are now on sale - to order click on  online shop 

Hear Orla and Penny's story and listen to Sue Banton STEPS Founder & Director and Andreas Roposch, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Great Ormond Street Hospital talking about the issues of detecting Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/03/2009_30_wed.shtml

This content has been removed.

Please click here to return to the homepage.

This content has been removed.

Please click here to return to the homepage.

Link to the item on BBC South East News: click the link  or copy and paste the link into your browser.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7908188.stm

Link to the campaign pages here

http://tiny.cc/AconcaguaPics           http://tiny.cc/AconcaguaVideos (click "see all"

If you feel inspired to undertake such a challenge yourself, please contact us on 0871 717 0044.

Tuesday 24th February.

The report reveals that of the Acute and Primary Care Trusts who responded 57 per cent of PCTs and 10 per cent of Acute Trusts have no formal policy in place, despite a national screening policy being introduced in the UK in 1969.

Dave Anderson, MP for Blaydon, said: "I am very proud to support the important work of the STEPS charity and to highlight it in Parliament. I am impressed by their work in showing that the national screening programme needs to be backed by proper procedures and policies which can then prevent needless suffering as well as spending.

You can download a full copy of the report here.

Our baby hip health campaign is now showing on the BBC website - if you would like to read the article, please click on the link http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7893294.stm .One of our parents, Oonagh Keith, is urging parents to email the BBC requesting them to open it up for discussion - as follows:

Can I suggest everyone start emailing the BBC as we can push this story bigger if we act now. I have just sent an email to the bbc click contact at the bottom of the BBC page

If you have time please drop them an email about this story.PLEASE

Oonagh's email is shown on the STEPS discussion forum, DDH section.

Go to our pages click here

This content has been removed.

Please click here to return to the homepage.

A Department of Health official claims that guidelines are in place to detect children’s hip problems, yet why do so many babies experience a late diagnosis leading to more severe treatment?

Initial findings from our research indicate that, alarmingly, many PCT’s do not have a hip examination policy which is an important part of the newborn and 6-8 week physical baby health check.

WHY ARE OUR BABIES' HIPS problems still getting missed?   The Department for Health reckons that all systems are in place, so why are there so many late diagnoses? We are campaigning for change and need your help.   For more information click here.

This content has been removed.

Please click here to return to the homepage.

STEPS have just sent out a large shipment of approx. 1000 boots and bars to Papua New Guinea to help with Dr Steve Mannion's latest work out there.  Some of you may have seen Professor Winston's programme on BBC1 a few months ago following Dr Mannion's progress in Malawi.  This is the second shipment STEPS have sent to PNG and we are always looking for boots and bars which can be sent to the third world to help such schemes.

Thanks to Denise Watson at the Chelsea and Westminster for their considerable donation of boots and bars!

This content has been removed.

Please click here to return to the homepage.

This content has been removed.

Please click here to return to the homepage.

This content has been removed.

Please click here to return to the homepage.

Both the Birmingham party and the Basingstoke party were a great success - To look at Birmingham photos click here and to look at Basingstoke photos click here.

The parties are a great opportunity to meet other families who are affected by club foot, hip dysplasia and other lower limb conditions and have lots of fun at the same time. We hope to hold these again next year.   

In a statement issued on 20th October 2008 the Department for Transport said, 'The Government is planning to extend the Blue Badge Scheme to the following groups:

"People with the most severe mental impairments/extremely disruptive behavioural problems; 
specific individuals with temporary mobility problems lasting a minimum of one year;
more children, under the age of three, with specific medical conditions; and
injured active/ex-service personnel in receipt of specific tariffs of award under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.'

When talking about children with specific medical conditions the Department for Transport says,

'After listening to parents, we have decided that this benefit should be extended to more children, under the age of three, with specific medical conditions. Once these children reach the age of three, they will be able to apply for a Badge under the other categories of eligibility described in this Strategy.'

They also stated that they would be looking at extedning the scheme to those with tempoary disablities:

"We have also been listening to people who experience major traumas, strokes or require joint replacements. Many people with these conditions make a full recovery within one to three years. However, during their treatment, they may be just as immobile as permanently disabled people who already benefit from a Blue Badge. We think it is only fair to provide this group of people with temporary Blue Badges until they make a recovery."

Follow this link for more information.

If you watched SuperDoctors , the BBC Robert Winston Documentary on Thursday 4th September which featured the Ponseti Method of treating clubfoot  and would like more information about finding a practitioner who uses this method, please contact STEPS on 0871 717 0044 or email info@steps-charity.org.uk

In the final episode of a series of three, which focuses on doctors and surgeons who do extraordinary and pioneering work,  Blackpool-based surgeon Steve Mannion is featured.  Steve spends half of his working life overseas treating orthopaedic conditions such as Clubfoot, where the feet are turned inward and upwards from birth.

STEPS were able to advise on the numbers of babies born with this condition in the UK and put the researchers in touch with parents of children with the condition and doctors who treat it in the UK.    Over recent years a low-tech method developed in the US by Dr Ponseti has become more widely known and used throughout the world, and it is this ‘Ponseti method’ which Steve Mannion is shown using in Malawi – one of the poorest countries in the world.  The method avoids the use of extensive surgery, using instead gentle manipulation and plaster casting followed by the wearing of special boots attached to a bar.    The method is increasingly popular in the UK and STEPS are one of the main charities which can give parents information and support if their baby needs this treatment.

STEPS collects used boots and recycles them for use in projects overseas, and has recently sent 1000 pairs to Papua New Guinea, where Steve Mannion has recently been working.
For more information on how to help  Click here

“Our bodies, Our views!: Children and young people’s attitudes to their prosthesis” A full set of pictures and presentations are now on the website. Click  here for more information.

In February 2009, Charles Murray, our Chairman, and a small group of 'mad' individuals will be travelling to South America to attempt a traverse of Aconcagua to raise much needed funds for STEPS.  At nearly 23,000 ft, Aconcagua is the highest mountain in South America and indeed it is the highest mountain in the world outside the Himalayas. Whilst not technically difficult Aconcagua is a very large and very cold mountain, so we wish them lots of luck!

If you would like to support him in this huge and daunting challenge, please go to the following link www.justgiving.com/charlesmurray. Or if you wish to join him on this adventure of a lifetime please contact the office on 0871 717 0045

This content has been removed.

Please click here to return to the homepage.

Highlights from the presentations are available to read by clicking here 

These are not comprehensive accounts of the presentations, but rather a highlighted tour to give a flavour of the event with special emphasis on information for parents and the public.

PDF files of the actual PowerPoint presentation will be available in some cases.

steps second event in Northern Ireland was held on Saturday 20th October. Families from all over Northern Ireland attended as well as nurses and doctors from Musgrave Park Hospital. The afternoon gave families the opportunity to talk to health professionals and steps Founder & Director, Sue Banton, but late afternoon and early evening was all for the children with face painting and entertainment from Magic George. The event was hosted at the Belfast Boat Club thanks to the support of Simon Bellamy of the In Car Safety Centre.

Everybody really enjoyed the event and three parents are determined to do more, Paul, Joanne and Ruth are determined to organise another event in Northern Ireland next year. If you would like to be involved please contact the steps office on info@steps-charity.org.uk or telephone 0871 7170044.

Donated Ponseti Boots & Bars help a baby in Armavir, Krasnodar Region, South Russia.

Peter Schetinin says a big thank you to hospitals and parents in the UK. The donated boots & bars mean this little boy avoided surgery because he could continue with his Ponseti treatment to treat his clubfeet. To read the full story click here .

If you would like to donate unwanted/used boots & bars to the steps Boots and Bars Appeal click here .