Surgery success gets Joshua his first pair of shoes

THE Irish child who has undergone pioneering surgery in the US to help him walk for the first time yesterday got his very first pair of shoes.

Joshua Duffy-Huff, who has not yet celebrated his first birthday, was born with his legs completely twisted behind his back. When just a month old surgeons had to amputate them below the knee.

His case was taken up by the Oprah Winfrey Show and American Airlines offered the family a free trip so Joshua could undergo treatment in Michigan.

Joshua, from Castletownroche, Co Cork, was born with arthrogryposis, a rare congenital condition which causes abnormalities in the joints.

But Michigan-based doctor Greg Greenway has pioneered procedures which can aid sufferers of the condition.

Dr Greenway fitted the child with special sockets which have enabled prosthetic legs to be attached to Joshua.

Yesterday, he was fitted with prosthetic legs and his first pair of shoes.

“We are absolutely delighted with his first pair of shoes, they are desert boots, and they were made specially by the company which made the prosthetic legs,” his mother Gillian said.

And Joshua’s reaction?

“He keeps looking at himself in the mirror,” said Gillian. Joshua and his parent will return home on Friday.

“The ultimate hope is for Joshua to have as much independence as possible.

“For now we are looking forward to celebrating Joshua’s first birthday,” she said.