In Their Own Words: Shriners Children’s Patients Share Their Experiences
Specialty care from Shriners Children's providers has helped millions of kids get back to the things they love, including Brandon, who has paralysis.
More than 1.5 million children from around the world have benefitted from the care they received at Shriners Children’s.
Whether they were treated for burns, musculoskeletal, orthopedic, craniofacial or other medical needs, these millions of children have been able to live fuller lives because of the care they received at Shriners Children’s.
Three patients have penned heartfelt reflections on their medical journeys and what Shriners Children’s means to them. In their own words, Brandon, Cori and Christian share how their lives have been changed for the better thanks to care at Shriners Children’s locations across the country.
Brandon's Family Turns to Shriners Children's Greenville After Paralysis
By Brandon, Shriners Children's patient
My name is Brandon. I am 13, and I have been blessed to experience the care of Shriners Children’s Greenville on a variety of levels for many years now. When I was 4, my parents brought me in when I had fractured my foot. The staff was kind and patient, and I was back to playing with my brothers in no time.
When I was 6, a major medical crisis once again had me back at Shriners. In August 2016, I was paralyzed on my right side when a cold virus attacked my spinal cord. It’s called acute flaccid myelitis.
I had played my last baseball game one Saturday, and by the next, I was unable to walk or move my arm. Even sitting up on the side of the hospital bed or other previously simple tasks were now grueling and painful.
I had spent a month in the children’s hospital in Greenville, South Carolina, and then several months in Atlanta for intense rehab. When it was time to come home, we once again turned to Shriners Children’s. It was a massive blessing to my parents that the hospital was less than 30 minutes from our house.
The physical therapists and occupational therapists worked with me almost daily in those early days. They were great about thinking outside the box to make therapy as fun as possible for me by creatively incorporating sports activities or anything else they thought a little boy would find amusing. They had a sense of humor and would often joke with me.
Therapy wasn’t always easy, but they always made it as fun as possible. The therapy team also was a huge help in advocating for equipment or making sure I got the help I needed with surgery.
In 2007, I had an experimental upper extremity nerve transfer surgery in Philadelphia. That surgery helped me to regain function in my right arm that I otherwise would not have gotten back. We were also back up in Philly on a snowy December day in 2020 for another surgery where Dan Zlotolow, M.D., was able to stabilize my shoulder socket.
Bracing has been another huge component of my care at Shriners. The Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services keeps me moving, literally. Doctors and other families we meet at other places are always asking about my leg brace. It truly is the best. Nate has worked hard to make sure it’s durable (I’m kind of hard on my braces because I stay pretty active, thanks to the brace), and has the latest technology available with the joints and other components. I can’t walk without my brace, so this has given me independence and a “normal” that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. It’s a game-changer.
It’s not all work, though. I’ve been able to enjoy the fun parts, too – from Halloween parties and anniversary celebrations to speaking events on behalf of Shriners Children’s.
It’s humbling to see the many different people it takes to make this organization possible. The donations matter. The medical care I get here has made things easier not only for me, but for my parents as well.
Shriners Children’s is doing important work with an incredible team of people. Because of Shriners Children’s, I am able to enjoy my life to the fullest. I will forever be grateful for their care.
