Cheerful and brave Sofia (age 4) was born without her shins. When she was 10 months old, both of her lower legs were amputated. Doctors told Sofia's moms that she would probably have to use a wheelchair all her life and, in terms of assistive devices, was also steered in that direction by various care agencies.  

Through Sofia's biological father, the Vera and Lorna (Sofia's parents) heard about the Prosthetic Festival and there they were introduced to the Bibian Mentel Foundation, Frank Jol and Re-abled: a program and collaboration of the Bibian Mentel Foundation and Frank Jol, in which they give people with physical challenges the best guidance and the right tools to help them live the most independent and powerful life possible.

They also became acquainted with Edwin Spee (one of our founders) during the Prosthesis Festival, and that's how the ball got rolling. Sofia had just had surgery a few months earlier, and at Re-abled Day Sofia and her mothers saw that so much is possible. Not much later, they had the first introductory meeting at Re-abled - with the Bibian Mentel Foundation and prosthetist Frank Jol.

During the first interview, the cheerful Sofia cried out that she wanted to open the door herself. Mother Vera: "At such a young age, she wanted to be independent, to be able to walk and play with her friends.

Frank Jol developed stubbies for Sofia: stubbies are prosthetic tubes without tubes and feet, but with a lower part on which you can stand independently. With these, Sofia can enjoy clambering on climbing frames and moving around. To enable Sofia to be a child again, Re-abled funded and developed the program for her two blades. After learning to walk on them, Sofia now outruns the rest of her classmates!

Sofia is currently in grade 1 and she is having a great time. Her favorite activity: playing outside. Thanks to her blades, this is possible again. Exercise is a right, but for children with physical challenges this is often not self-evident. This is because from the basic insurance only an ADL is reimbursed (and regular prosthesis), but these are not suitable for sports. Sports prostheses, which include Sofia's blades, are not reimbursed.

Sofia's dream and desire is to learn to swim independently and to be able to join her friends in the pool. To make this dream come true, special swimming prostheses need to be financed and fitted. Vera: "Now we have to take Sofia to the pool and help her climb out, but how nice it would be for Sofia to be able to enjoy swimming independently (just like her peers). 

Will you help enable more children to be children again? Become a donor and support our mission: to get as many children and young adults with physical challenges back into life independently and confidently. With your contribution, we will literally get them moving again, give them the right tools to pursue their dreams and work toward an inclusive society. Who will you give an equal opportunity? Take action or donate!