At just 23 hours old, Marcie began her challenging journey with a condition called talipes, more commonly known as ‘clubfoot’. Either diagnosed pre or post-birth, clubfoot is when one or both of a baby’s feet are pointed and twisted. Marcie’s first treatment came before she was even one day old, and over the years, her road to recovery has been paved with surgeries, countless plaster changes, and a spirit of resilience. Thanks to the incredible care she received and the support of our community, her story has become one of hope and inspiration.

As we approach CAN GIVE DAY, we want to share Marcie's story to remind you just how much of a difference your donations make, not just for patients but for their families and the incredible healthcare workers who support them.

Marcie was diagnosed with talipes while her mother, Melissa, was pregnant. "She had her first treatment, plaster from toe to hip, at just 23 hours old," recalls Melissa.

This was just the beginning. Marcie’s early months were filled with weekly plaster changes and surgery at just five weeks of age. After surgery, Marcie spent months in a ‘bar and boots,’ (pictured above) only taken off for bath time.

As Marcie grew, the treatments didn’t stop. Every year or two, more plaster was needed to stretch her tendons, making everyday life challenging. 

"Managing a newborn with medical treatment is really hard,” Melissa says, “but in a way, the plaster when Marcie was older was more challenging. We couldn’t carry her. We needed a wheelchair, a ramp to get into our house, and two people to lift her."

These adjustments required not just physical strength but emotional resilience from the whole family. Melissa recalls how small acts of kindness and equipment, like the therapeutic toys and the Outdoor Paediatric Physiotherapy Gym, which were both funded by previous CHF donations, help provide moments of relief during those difficult times for children and their families, "Any bit of kindness, a game, a fun plaster pattern, made all the difference. The paw print pattern was a particular favourite," she remembers fondly. 

Growing up with constant medical treatment is never easy. For Marcie, there were times when the plaster stretches felt never-ending. “Going back for treatment and not knowing what might happen, especially when we thought it was over, only to discover we needed another plaster stretch, was really difficult,” Marcie recalls.

But Marcie wasn’t alone. Her sister Louisa, who often played "mechanic" on her wheelchair to make sure it was safe, and her parents were there every step of the way. Healthcare workers also played an invaluable role, especially the physiotherapists who guided Marcie through her treatments. “They explained everything, taught me stretches to improve my feet, and always encouraged me,” says Marcie, who was only discharged from treatment this year aged 17, having spent almost the entirety of her pre-adult life in and out of treatment. 

When asked what she’d say to the healthcare workers who helped her along the way, Marcie’s gratitude is clear.“Thank YOU! Thanks for your kindness, patience, explanations, and encouragement.” 

Melissa adds, “The way the physiotherapists were kind to me, especially when Marcie was a baby, was incredible.”

It’s these healthcare workers who not only provide medical care but also bring compassion and understanding to patients and their families during their most challenging and vulnerable times.

Canberra Hospital Foundation (CHF) helps provide patients like Marcie and the healthcare workers who cared for her with the little things that make treatment and recovery just a bit easier. From fun games and rewards for kids undergoing long treatments to creating comfortable, non-clinical breakout spaces for patients and their families, these are the ‘extra’ touches that your donations support.

Thanks to our generous donors, CHF has also funded the outdoor paediatric physiotherapy space at the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children, offering children a therapeutic environment to aid their recovery in a more natural, calming setting.

In addition, past donations have provided therapeutic toys for the Paediatric Physiotherapy Gym at the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children. These toys are not only a source of comfort but also a part of the functional assessments conducted by physiotherapists to track neurodevelopmental progress. They create a welcoming environment for children and help reduce the stress of treatment.

As Marcie puts it, “CHF helps with things that make treatment nicer—not just the regular medical needs, but the extras that make a real difference.”

This CAN GIVE DAY; your generosity will have double the impact. Thanks to our generous matched donors, your donation on CAN GIVE DAY will be matched by our generous partners until these funds are fully exhausted. This means your contribution will go even further in supporting patients like Marcie and the dedicated healthcare workers who care for them.

Please help us make a difference on CAN GIVE DAY. Every little bit helps. Together, we can bring hope and comfort to those who need it most.

Your kindness can help more patients like Marcie by providing the comfort and support required to face the challenges ahead.