What is clubfoot and how common is it?

Clubfoot is a birth defect where the foot is turned inward and rigid. It affects 1 in 800 to 1,000 births worldwide. Parents often learn about it during the 20-week prenatal ultrasound. The condition is not positional and has genetic causes, though much about those causes remains unknown.

How does the Ponseti method work?

The Ponseti method uses minimally invasive casting to correct clubfoot instead of major surgery. Dr. Ignacio Ponseti developed this approach, which transformed treatment for children and families. The method requires ongoing follow-up through childhood as the child grows.

Why does clubfoot treatment take so long?

Clubfoot treatment spans years because growing bodies change. After initial correction with casting, children need follow-up visits through their developmental years. Some cases require additional procedures to maintain correction as the child grows. It's a long-term relationship with a specialist, not a one-time fix.

How does Miracle Flights help families access treatment?

Miracle Flights covers travel costs for families who need specialized medical care but can't afford repeated trips. For clubfoot treatment, families often need multiple visits over years. Without flight assistance, many families cannot pursue the full course of treatment their child needs.

Can clubfoot be detected before birth?

Yes, clubfoot can be detected during prenatal ultrasound visits, typically around 20 weeks. This early detection allows families to prepare and connect with specialists before birth, though treatment doesn't begin until after the baby is born.

What happens if clubfoot goes untreated?

Untreated clubfoot means a child would walk on the top and outside of their foot. Beyond physical difficulty, untreated clubfoot creates social stigma. Dr. Dobbs treated a 21-year-old in South America who couldn't pursue education or marriage due to untreated clubfoot. After treatment, he became a college graduate and businessman.

Where does Dr. Dobbs practice?

Dr. Dobbs practices at the Paley Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Institute also has international locations in Warsaw, Poland, Abu Dhabi, and Columbia, with more locations opening soon. This international footprint helps families access specialized care closer to home.

What makes the Paley Institute different?

The Paley Institute brings together orthopedic specialists who lead their fields. It operates as a think tank with multidisciplinary care, including on-site physical therapy. The international footprint allows the center to serve families worldwide, not just regionally.

How did Dr. Dobbs start working with Miracle Flights?

A patient introduced Dr. Dobbs to Miracle Flights early in his career. The partnership has continued throughout his 25 years of practice. He calls it 'life-changing' for patients, families, and his practice because it makes long-term specialized care accessible.

What research has been done on clubfoot causes?

Dr. Dobbs ran a genetics lab and identified the first five genes associated with clubfoot. This research helps families understand that clubfoot has genetic causes, not environmental or positional ones. However, much remains unknown about the complete genetic picture of clubfoot.

Miracle Flights Named Official Charity Partner of Aviation Festival Americas 2027

Miracle Flights is honored to be named the Official Charity Partner of Aviation Festival Americas 2027, taking place May 12–13 in Miami, Florida.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to connecting people through aviation and harnessing the power of flight to change lives.

Every day, Miracle Flights provides free commercial air travel within the United States for children ages 0–17 whose families qualify based on financial need. These flights connect children with board-certified medical providers and accredited treatment facilities, ensuring distance does not prevent them from receiving the specialized care they need.

Through its partnership with Aviation Festival Americas, Miracle Flights will have an opportunity to introduce its mission to aviation leaders, innovators and industry partners from across the Americas. The festival’s platform will help raise awareness of the life-changing medical journeys made possible through the generosity of Miracle Flights’ supporters and partners.

“We are honored to be named the Official Charity Partner of Aviation Festival Americas 2027,” said Stephanie Ceccarelli, Chief of Impact at Miracle Flights. “Aviation has the extraordinary ability to connect people with opportunities, resources, and, in our case, life-changing medical care. We look forward to sharing our mission with the aviation community and building relationships that will help even more children reach the treatment they need.”

Aviation Festival Americas brings together airlines, airports, technology leaders and other aviation professionals to explore the business models, innovations and emerging technologies shaping the industry. The 2027 event will be held May 12–13 in Miami.

Miracle Flights extends its gratitude to the Aviation Festival Americas team for this meaningful partnership and for helping amplify the stories of the families whose medical journeys are made possible through flight.

We look forward to joining the aviation community in Miami and continuing our work to ensure that no child’s access to specialized medical care is limited by distance.

Click here to learn more about Aviation Festival Americas 2027.