With two deformed feet, Juan Carlos never wore shoes. He was an outcast in his neighborhood and had no friends his own age. He spent a good part of his childhood panhandling along the waterfront, walking for hours with no shoes. His face reflected a deep sadness.

If you were to see Juan Carlos today, you probably wouldn't recognize him. A smile fills his face and he is always surrounded by a group of friends. It's hard to imagine this was once a sad and lonely little boy.

Juan Carlos' life changed when two men, Duane Gess and Paul Hedstetter, found him and decided to help. They knew the CURE hospital in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic could help him. They raised enough funds to pay for Juan Carlos' transportation and surgery.

At CURE, the physicians performed corrective surgery on Juan's feet. He was ecstatic when he was able to wear shoes for the first time! He now attends school daily and given up on panhandling.

Juan Carlos wants other children to experience the same joy that he has experienced. He has become a missionary for other children suffering with disabilities and recently brought his friend, Marciel, to the clinic for help. Juan Carlos' story is truly a story of how CURE can transform a child's life forever.