A surgeon’s compassion for a charismatic Moroccan boy transforms many lives­–including her own.

High in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, the chance encounter of an orthopedic surgeon and an impish boy clad in bright pink rubber boot changes both their lives…

 Dr. Pier Boutin responded to the call for orthopaedic surgeons after the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Leading the first surgical team to arrive in Port-au-Prince, she witnessed devastating trauma and unimaginable suffering. To distract from the haunting memories, she escaped to Morocco where she came upon a three-year old boy in the Atlas Mountains stumbling around on deformed feet.

Walking is vital for survival in these remote mountains. With untreated clubfeet, this child faced a dismal future. Despite his struggle to walk, he giggled and smiled. His magnetic charm captivated her. She could not walk away.

His needs eclipsed her own growing despondence after the trauma of Haiti. She thought, “If he can smile despite his disability, why can’t I?”

This chance encounter would permeate many lives for years to come. 

Dr. Boutin’s compassion and determination overcame all obstacles to bring this child, Little Mo, to the United States to treat his disability.

In the process, she changed his life–but he also changed hers.

Dr. Pier with Little Mo before surgery