Turnaround

Here is a note from the mother of one of our pediatric patients.

[box]Dear Dr. Santopietro,

I have been meaning to write to you for two years now… sigh. I don’t even have the “children at home” excuse anymore, as Kyle was my last one. In the better late than never tradition however…

I am the mother of Kyle Duke, and spent a fair amount of time over the years in your waiting room during Kyle’s appointments with you (and during appointments for my daughter Erin, as well).

You treated Kyle from age 11, I think, initially coming in contact with him as a follow-up from Children’s Hospital where he had had surgery for a broken ankle, until he graduated from high school in June of ’09 so I guess for 8 years.

Kyle had gone through a series of podiatrists and tried various types of of inserts for a few years before meeting you. Despite their best efforts, while Kyle could skate and play hockey OK, he still had trouble walking 5 holes on a golf course without a lot of pain.

Then you began treating him. During Kyle’s senior year in high school (2008/2009), he captained his football and wrestling teams, and received All New England (prep school) football honors and All American (prep school) wrestling honors.

I wanted to let you know that because none of that would have been possible without your care. Your skill with podiatry honestly changed my youngest son’s life. Your expertise made many physical things possible for him that would not have been so otherwise, opportunities that have brought him a lot of happiness and confidence.

Kyle is currently taking a two-year leave of absence from enrolling in college to serve a religious mission in Washington (state), so he has been away from home basically since his high school graduation.

Kyle has been accepted by Tufts, unless his plans change, he will be playing for them starting a year from this fall. So you will probably see him in your office next summer. But obviously Kyle is not going to say what I just did, so I wanted to let you know how appreciative both of us are for all you have done for him.

Sincerely,

Amy Duke

October 2010

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