One in a MILLION!
This week we’re admiring the story of Chesca Colloredo-manseld, 57. She said…
Gazing out of the car window, I couldn’t believe the sights that passed me by. While British, I spent much of my childhood living outside of the UK, where life was different.
On a snowy day in Turkey, there were children, about my age, hunting through huge piles of litter.
At just eight, these sights left a real mark on me.
And deep down I promised myself that I would try and do something to help others, like those I had seen.
As I continued my education, I had a lucky chance to take a scholarship in the US.
This opened a whole range of opportunities, from working in investment banking to attending business school at Stanford University.
Learning a tremendous amount, I thrived in the corporate world.
But I knew I wanted to have a greater impact to help others.
Watching a video that changed my life, I saw a child standing in the doorway of a house, balancing on twisted feet, watching other children playing with a ball.
The child was born with a common birth defect called clubfoot.
If he had been born in the UK, he would have been treated and have been playing with the other kids.
Seeing this video, brought back all those memories of things I had seen as a child, I burst into tears.
Having three children of similar ages, I needed to help.
I’m not sure how I’m going to do this, but this is a problem that I can solve, I thought.
Using my experience in management and business start-ups, I set out to tackle this global issue.
In 2010, I co-founded Miraclefeet with a small group of parents and surgeons, to ensure all children born with clubfoot, regardless of where they lived, would have immediate access to proper treatment.
12 years later, we’ve helped over 64,000 children, and their families, find the treatment they needed so they can run, jump, play, and just live like every other kid.
I often think about what might have happened to those children if Miraclefeet didn’t exist.
I feel very fortunate to have been able to play a small part in making this vision a reality for so many incredible people.
I’d love to encourage others to take that leap of faith to make a difference.
Who knows what impact you will have!
●to find out more visit: Miraclefeet.org
They can run, jump, and play like kids!