Persuasive Speaking Jerome Gregory Champion

Summary

The script narrates the plight of millions suffering from podoconiosis, a preventable tropical disease causing foot deformities. It details the physical and social toll, including stigma and economic impact, and proposes a solution: distributing 'The Shoe That Grows', a long-lasting, expandable shoe, to affected children in developing countries. The speaker calls for community action, emphasizing the disease's eradication potential and broader benefits for health and economy.

Takeaways

• 👗 Minir's story illustrates the impact of podoconiosis, a disease that can cause significant foot deformities.
• 🌱 The disease is linked to walking barefoot on specific tropical soils, affecting an estimated 30 million people worldwide.
• 📚 Podoconiosis is non-infectious and can be completely prevented by wearing shoes, as confirmed by Dr. Gail Davy in the June 2016 Podos Journal.
• 👟 'The Shoe That Grows' is a shoe designed to expand with children, aiming to provide a long-term solution for affected children.
• 💼 The speaker is advocating for a fundraiser to support 'The Shoe That Grows' initiative, which could prevent podoconiosis in at-risk communities.
• 🏥 The disease carries significant social stigma, leading to isolation and exclusion from normal activities like school and religious gatherings.
• 💼 The economic impact of podoconiosis is substantial, with Ethiopia alone estimated to lose $200 million annually due to the disease.
• 🌐 The speaker is coordinating with Dr. ASAT Miste and the National Podoconiosis Action Network to deliver shoes to affected areas.
• 🚫 The disease not only causes physical suffering but also leads to social and economic marginalization, affecting individuals' livelihoods.
• 🌍 By addressing podoconiosis, there is potential to reduce the risk of other infectious diseases and contribute to the overall health and economic well-being of affected nations.

Q & A

What is the main issue addressed in the script?

The script addresses the issue of podoconiosis, a non-infectious geochemical disease that affects people in certain tropical regions, causing severe foot deformities.

What is the cause of podoconiosis?

Podoconiosis is caused by walking barefoot on tropical red clay, Highland soil, combined with a genetic predisposition for the disease.

How many people are vulnerable to podoconiosis worldwide?

Approximately 30 million people are vulnerable to podoconiosis worldwide.

What is the proposed solution to prevent podoconiosis?

The proposed solution is wearing shoes, which can prevent the disease 100% according to Dr. Gail Davy, a leading researcher in podoconiosis.

What is the 'shoe that grows' and how does it help?

The 'shoe that grows' is a shoe designed to expand five sizes for five years for one child, made of tire rubber, and costs $15 to donate. It helps by providing long-term footwear to children in areas where podoconiosis is prevalent.

How does podoconiosis affect social and economic aspects of affected communities?

Podoconiosis leads to stigma and social isolation, as well as economic loss due to the inability to work, leading to significant financial burdens on affected nations.

What is the role of the speaker in promoting awareness and solutions for podoconiosis?

The speaker is advocating for a fundraiser to provide shoes to those in need, coordinating with organizations like 'shoe that grows.org' and the National Podoconiosis Action Network, and acting as an ambassador for the cause.

What are the physical symptoms of podoconiosis?

The physical symptoms of podoconiosis include swelling of legs and feet, thickening of the skin, leathery nodules, and eventually, in the most severe cases, legs becoming disfigured to resemble tree trunks.

How does the speaker plan to distribute the shoes to those in need?

The speaker plans to distribute shoes through a duffel bag program, where groups collect 50 pairs, and a volunteer, in this case, the speaker, takes them to a town in need.

What are the broader health benefits of treating podoconiosis with shoes?

Treating podoconiosis with shoes not only prevents the disease but also reduces the risk of contracting other deadly diseases like hookworm, tungiasis, schistosomiasis, and elephantiasis.

What is the speaker's ultimate goal with this initiative?

The speaker's ultimate goal is to eliminate the one child per day dropout rate in at least one school with the shoes they donate and to help restore a nation's financial autonomy by addressing the root cause of podoconiosis.