Aurora Banner – Feb 23, 2012
by Teresa Latchford
Imagine if each step you took was accompanied by pain and prevented you from supporting your family and doing the things you love. Imagine if it was so bad, the loss of your foot was a possibility. This is the reality of many of the residents of the Caribbean island St. Kitts, who don’t have access to proper foot care clinics. Lisa Bensadoun improves lives one toe at a time. The owner of By Lisa Esthetics was a member of the North American School of Podology team that helped serve, in less than a week, more than 700 St. Kitts residents, who desperately need attention. “I won’t lie. I think I cried every day,” she said. “I saw warts, calluses, ingrown toe nails and hammer toe. It was surreal and gave me a real appreciation for the foot care we have available here.” The residents she helped are prone to diabetes, which makes proper foot care even more important, she explained. An individual with diabetes often can’t feel his feet, meaning he could be walking around with an infection or wound from stepping on an object without realizing it. An infection can, ultimately lead to amputation of the foot. “There were no proper shoes. They all wore inexpensive flip flops or were barefoot,” she said. “But I have never seen people so grateful for foot care.” She remembers her first client, with whom she spent 30 minutes. At the end of the day, he returned with a small gift bag to show his appreciation. Another client brought her a small St. Kitts pin to thank her for giving her at day that didn’t include walking in pain. “I was overwhelmed by the situation and then the gratitude,” Ms Bensadoun said. “These people, who have very little, found it very important to show their appreciation.” While she and the rest of the team worked long hours to help those in need, the government approved a clinic to be set up every six months. Ms Bensadoun has already volunteered for the next team. “Seeing the devastation and lack of foot care available there has given me a new passion to educate and provide care for those who need it,” she said.
This article is for personal use only courtesy of Aurora Banner a division of Metroland Media Group Ltd.
