Patient Shares Her Beautiful Artwork

Boston Shriners Hospital patient Milagros is a talented artist who loves to share her drawings. She is creating a piece to display in the hospital’s family waiting room, and is designing the hospital's annual holiday card. Her drawings are sure to bring smiles to all. We asked Milagros to tell us a little bit about herself and what her art means to her.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

My name is Milagros. I was born in Honduras. I now live in Virginia with my parents, my brother, a dog named Katie and my cat, Kira. I am 13 years old and I am in the seventh grade. I take piano lessons and hip-hop dance lessons. But what I like best is drawing.

What would you like to share about how you became a patient at the Boston Shriners Hospital?

I was in a house fire just before my first birthday. I came to Shriners Hospital in Boston because the doctors in Honduras couldn’t take care of me. I lost my right ear, my right arm had to be amputated at the elbow, all my hair was burned off, and the top of my skull had a hole burned in it. I have a metal plate in my head now. I also had burns on my legs, feet, chest and face. I had expanders put in my head to stretch out the small patch of hair left to move the hair to cover my head as much as it could.

How would you describe the care you received at the Boston Shriners Hospital?

I don’t remember when I first came to the Shriners Hospital in Boston, but as I have grown and had to have more surgeries, everyone has always been friendly and caring. The child life specialists and music therapists are great! They helped me stay calm before surgeries.

Do you have any favorite memories to share?

Rebecca, a child life specialist, kept me busy once when I was going into surgery, and the music therapist came into the operating room and got the doctors, nurses, my mom and me all singing a silly song, I Don’t Want No Stinky Mask Today, until I fell asleep!

Please tell us about your drawings. What does your art mean to you?

I started drawing when I was about 3 years old. I like to draw anime, realistic people and cartoons. I like to use colored pencils, markers and paint. Art is relaxing and fun, and when I give my artwork to people and they like it, that makes me feel good.

This question is for Terry, Milagros’ mom. What would you like to share about your daughter and about Shriners Hospitals for Children — Boston?

Before Milagros came to be part of our family, the nurses, doctors, child life therapists and music therapists gave Milagros the love and attention she so desperately needed at the time. She has grown into a strong, courageous young lady who doesn’t know the words “I can’t.” She tackles everything with a “watch me do it” attitude. The Shriners [staff members] have let her be involved in her care and procedures so that she feels she has some control over her care.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

We wouldn’t have been able to get her the care she needed without the Shriners [Hospital]! We have never gotten a bill for all the 100+ procedures and surgeries she has had over the years. The Shriners are our children’s guardian angels!