Steps

STEPS is the National Association for Families of Children with Congenital Abnormalities of the Lower Limbs.

The Association was founded by Sue Banton and Chris Dennis in 1980. Both their children were born with talipes, a foot deformity. In addition to coping with the uncertainty and prognosis, lack of information and feelings of isolation made life even more difficult. Sue and Chris realised that the mutual support they had given each other helped tremendously; but they remembered that the early days before they met were difficult. A letter published in a national magazine asking for parents with similar problems to contact Sue resulted in over a hundred replies and STEPS was born. STEPS become a registered charity in 1988 and is now a national association helping parents and professionals manage the problems associated with lower limb abnormalities.

In practice talipes (club foot) and congenital dislocated hip (CDH) are the most common abnormalities; the former is easily noticed, while the latter is occasionally missed. Other conditions include absence or shortening of bones, especially the fibula or femur. These abnormalities may require artificial limbs, or other supportive or corrective appliances and in some cases may necessitate surgery or amputation. These lower limb deficiencies are uncommon and so the problems families face are often compounded by a sense of isolation and lack of practical guidance in coping with the management of their child.

STEPS AIMS TO PROVIDE CONTACT, SUPPORT AND INFORMATION