Former Shriners Children’s Philadelphia Patient Tatyana McFadden Eyes History at 2024 Paralympics

From an orphanage in Russia to a 20-time Paralympic medalist, the journey for former Shriners Children’s Philadelphia patient Tatyana McFadden hasn’t always been easy.

McFadden came to the United States very young and with many physical health challenges that quickly led her to Shriners Children’s, where she received treatment throughout her childhood. She credits that early relationship, along with the support of her family, for helping her to learn to break through barriers – and become one of the greatest track and field athletes of all time. McFadden recently qualified for her seventh Paralympics and her sixth Summer Games, and she’s ready to make more history in Paris.

McFadden was born with spina bifida, and her legs atrophied behind her back while living the first six years of her life in Russia. When she came to the United States, McFadden had surgical procedures to align her legs at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia. McFadden underwent care at Shriners Children’s growing up and said she remembers the group activities with other children at the hospital. She added that it was a great experience interacting with other kids who looked like her while undergoing care.

“I was fortunate with the group of doctors I had and the other patients I got to be around,” McFadden said. “My doctors were ahead of their time. There was a big stigma around spina bifida at the time and the things we can’t do, but not at Shriners Children’s. They provided resources for the things we can do. I always remember having a child life specialist there, which is one of the reasons I studied in that field in college. The procedures and medications at Shriners Children’s were always advanced, and I had a great doctor that helped me after the surgeries.”