"Extraordinary" Experience at Shriners Children’s Boston

“Phenomenal, wonderful, extraordinary,” are just a few of the words that D’Anayli’s father, Dane, uses to describe his family’s experience at Shriners Children’s Boston.

D’Anayli and her parents were referred by her local physician to reconstruct her soft palate and explore additional craniofacial care. “This recommendation has turned out to be one of the best decisions that we made in her young life,” said Dane. “It yielded an effective long-term medical treatment plan for her, and it also draws together a community of caring professionals who cater to her total development, and the development of every child entrusted in their care.”

Dane highlighted the sense of love and empathy exhibited by D’Anayli’s care team as a primary reason for their satisfaction. “I recall being in an exam room for the first time and it was as if the staff were feeling what we as parents were feeling,” he said.

During that first appointment, D’Anayli’s entire craniofacial team was present, offering information, comfort and guidance. Dane recalls learning “some good news and some not so good news” that day about the road ahead, which the family understood would have some challenges. “Their empathy was clear, and I will never forget that first encounter when the team gave my family and D’Anayli the support that we needed. From there we realized that we were going to be in very good hands.”

After a comprehensive evaluation before her first surgical procedure in Boston, D’Anayli’s care team developed a detailed long-term approach that included speech therapy, dental and orthodontic evaluation, and routine monitoring to assess the need for additional craniofacial surgery. Periodic telehealth encounters are a key component of D’Anayli’s care plan. This was particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel was greatly restricted.