Bailey activist’s 8-year barefoot adventure begun in a Cambodian dump

have you ever ever stepped on a Lego while barefoot? Spoiler: It hurts.

Now, think about stepping on a Lego daily for eight years. That's in fact what Dr. Jeff Brodsky has carried out to be able to elevate attention and money for victims of childhood human trafficking.

Eight years in the past, on July 19, 2010, Brodsky, a physician of Divinity from Promise Christian school, was doing humanitarian work in Cambodia when he witnessed a gaggle of children living in a rubbish dump without a footwear.

"I just couldn't get the graphic of their barefoot ft in that sludge out of my head," he noted.

So, that nighttime he made a yr-lengthy commitment to surrender shoes and socks to live barefoot in harmony with the children.

"It had nothing to do with raising cash," Brodsky said. "It turned into just basically personal to me. I on no account expected for it to become a fundraiser. when I got here domestic, each person idea i used to be insane."

After a year of being shoeless, he simply couldn't deliver himself to conclusion his barefoot experience when he knew the issue still existed. So, he's been barefoot and not using a exceptions for eight complete years.

"I hate being barefoot, I basically do," he pointed out. "try strolling on pavement in one hundred and five levels or in the snow. The pain in excellent. i will't agree with I've gone eight years barefoot, but I do that to motivate people to motion."

Brodsky's barefootedness has prompted hundreds of individuals to take action via an experience referred to as the Barefoot Mile. members stroll barefoot to carry cognizance and raise dollars for the rescue of infant slaves. The walks elevate funds for Brodsky's firm, joy overseas, which helps rescue sex slaves from all over the world. for the reason that it's founding in 1981, Brodsky and his team have rescued more than 2,000 americans and raised over $500,000, he talked about. pleasure overseas also travels the world to instruct people, like police and airport employees, to identify the signals of human trafficking and document incidents.

Brodsky and his crew at pleasure overseas have held Barefoot Miles internationally. And this Saturday, Brodsky is preserving yet a further walk in Littleton. The walks can elevate up to $200,000 and after they travel out of Colorado, the Barefoot Mile offers half of its donations to a native accomplice corporation that additionally fights human trafficking.

RJ Sangosti, The Denver submit

Dr. Jeff Brodsky, who has been barefoot for 8 years, raises cash for childhood human trafficking victims. Brodsky, works at his desk, at his workplace where he runs joy international on July 20, 2018 in Conifer.

He began humanitarian work lower back in 1979 when he determined to shuttle the realm as Snuggles the Love Clown. As Snuggles, he worked with food for the Hungry to connect with communities in underdeveloped international locations. He said he became even invited to work with mother Teresa on the domestic for infants and the domestic for the Destitute and death in Calcutta, India.

"i was just touring the area as a clown to bring individuals pleasure who knew no pleasure," Brodsky stated.

a long time later, Brodsky remains smitten by saving little ones world wide. And regardless of the cuts on his toes, he says he can't imagine ever donning footwear again.

"as long as my going barefoot will motivate one grownup a yr to action to help me keep extra infants, I'll go barefoot the relaxation of my life," Brodsky spoke of.

Littleton's Barefoot Mile will be held on July 21 at 9 a.m. at Robert F. Clement Park at 7306 W Bowles Ave. Open to all ages. Register for the experience or donate at thebarefootmile.com.