The Girl with Special Shoes

Hilda’s family didn’t know she had muscular dystrophy. They just knew their preschooler was losing her ability to walk. But they were determined to find a cure.

Being disabled in Cameroon meant not only obstacles to transport, but visits to diviners and evangelists, threats of sexual assault, discrimination, and a crisis of faith. Despite the hardship Hilda has faced, her family’s unwavering support and God’s unwavering grace have helped her persevere to become a national broadcaster. Her inspiring triumph over adversity will give you hope, no matter how dark your trials.

Walk a mile in Hilda’s shoes and learn how:

• She lost her mobility and found her purpose
• A gutsy girl broke the glass ceiling of disability
• People saw her broken body, but God saw a worthy vessel
• She and her family searched for healing, but God had other plans
• She didn’t need to stand to be outstanding
• God was on the move when she was stuck
• Her hope overcame hardship

The Girl with Special Shoes is the witty and heartfelt story of a family’s sacrificial love and a God who refashions pain into purpose.

There are few people in this world that leave me speechless. The life Hilda has led as an individual living with muscular dystrophy in the midst of few accommodations is incredible. Her resilience to move beyond hurdles is a testimony to her remarkable strength in the Lord, a testimony I hope many will read. I am so proud to recommend this book. —Kathryn Bryant Knudson, CEO of The Speak Foundation

I laughed, I cried, I smiled, I felt like hugging Hilda for her bravery. I have never read a book that paints a picture of childhood in Cameroon so well, not to mention a child with an impairment struggling to cope, fall, and rise over and over again. Her inspiring journey has motivated my faith in God; it has stimulated a passion to do more for children with impairment in Cameroon who just want to live like other children. I want everybody to read it! —Agho T. Glory, Empowerment and Disability Inclusive Development (EDID) Program of Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services

Hilda’s incredible prose brings us up close and personal to the struggles, mistreatment, and redemption that children living with disabilities face every day. Her experience embodies the plight of millions globally who are left behind by the world. I hope you pick up the book and recommit your life to being a blessing to children and young adults just like Hilda. —Justin Narducci, CEO of CURE International Children’s Hospitals

The Girl with Special Shoes tells the story of Hilda’s struggle with muscular dystrophy such that you don’t have to be suffering from any physical ailment to relate to it. Her resilience as she wrestles with existential issues provides guideposts for all travellers on the road of life. If you ever wonder anything about life’s purpose, meaning, hope, and where God is in the midst of it all, this book is for you. —Delphine M. Fanfon, Vision Bearer of Me4real International, Cameroon

Hilda’s story is a gut-wrenching raw account of life with a disability in Africa. But more than that, it is a moving account of God’s ability to transform lives. This is not a “tragedy to triumph” story, claiming that God will change your circumstances if you ask enough. It is a story of how God transforms a surrendered heart. Life with a disability is hard on so many levels, but Hilda’s story also demonstrates the power of love and the aching beauty of trust. We need more vulnerable stories like these, to show us as a society how far we still have to go in affirming and valuing the Imago Dei in every human being. Allow the Spirit of God to speak to you and move you to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. —Kim Kargbo, Founder & CEO of Accessible Hope International

In breathtaking, authentic, and poignant moments, Hilda paints the battle between moving on and giving up, hope and hopelessness. God does not waste our pain. Hilda’s special shoes are too big for me to wear, but they leave indelible prints and speak volumes throughout this side of eternity. —Rev Joel Ngoh, Former Lead Pastor at Hope Baptist Church, Bamenda, and Mildred Tsangue, Therapist