When Mbah Diedudonne Fon (@fon_dieudonne_official) was 7-years-old, he contracted elephantiasis, a rare tropical disease, after a burn injury in his hometown of Guzang, a village in Bamenda, in the country of Cameroon. His leg was amputated above the knee.
At age 31, Fon trekked from Colombia to Panama on crutches, at one point covering 124 miles in ten days, crossing rivers, and climbing hills through the one of the world’s deadliest forests - the Darien Gap. Other refugees advised him to turn back, but the pain he had gone through in life fortified him. His brave story to keep going, in the harshest of circumstances, in search of a better life, has inspired many people around the world to #NeverGiveUp.
In February 2023, with help from international organizations, Fon arrived in the U.S. and was connected with the @stepsoffaithfoundation and Laurel, MD #HangerClinic prosthetist Leah Meunier, to be fit for his first prosthetic leg. Fon’s restored mobility has lifted his spirits and given him hope.
His wish is for others who read his story to never give up on themselves. Fon is now training to play for the @usamputeesoccer team, and we couldn’t be prouder of his determination and perseverance. 🧡 #LiveEmpowered