HEALTH: Worthing mums raise money for charity STEPS

TWO mothers whose children have a little-known hip condition hosted a fund-raising morning in Findon Valley.

Rhona Bolger and Laura Cuthbert's Put the Kettle On event was intended to raise awareness of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and to collect funds for charity STEPS, which helps children with the condition.

The event was held at All Saints' Church Hall in Cissbury Drive, on Friday, February 20, and it is hoped around 200 was raised.

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DDH refers to a number of conditions, most commonly causing the hip to dislocate or totally displace.

It happens most frequently in girls.

Struggle

Rhona's daughter Tara, four, was diagnosed with DDH when she was 16 months old, after her parents repeatedly took her to their GP because she was struggling to walk.

A specialist found her right hip was completely dislocated, and Tara had to be put in a body cast from her waist to her knees for nine months to try to reattach her hip.

Laura, 29, of Lime Tree Avenue, Findon, is mum to three-year-old Olivia, who was found to have DDH around a year ago.

Coping

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Rhona, 43, said: "We were pretty upset when we found out, but Tara learned to cope with the cast and we got used to it.

"After that, she went for a year without needing any treatment.

"We were hopeful it had cured the problem, but then it was discovered the hip was starting to come loose again, and we were told she needed surgery.

"It was very shocking, as we thought everything might be ok, but we're hoping the operation has worked."

Body cast

Tara had the operation around a year ago.

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Her thigh bone had to be broken and repositioned using nuts and bolts.

She then had to be in a full body cast for six weeks, followed by two weeks of traction in hospital.

Olivia has also had the operation, and now both girls are able to walk again.

To find out more about the condition and how to help, visit www.steps-charity.org.uk">www.steps-charity.org.uk

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