Angel represented Shriners Children's Boston at last month's Shriners Children's Charleston Classic college basketball tournament.
Over the years, he has returned for surgeries, physical therapy, skin grafting and more. He has also taken on the role of Patient Ambassador for Shriners Children’s Boston, representing the hospital at the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic college basketball tournament in November and twice designing the hospital’s holiday card.
Each year, eight Division I basketball teams are invited to compete in the tournament and Patient Ambassadors are selected to represent the Shriners Children’s healthcare system. Boston College participated in the Charleston Classic this year, giving Angel an opportunity to represent Shriners Children’s Boston at the event.
Angel enjoyed rooting for Boston College and described the whole experience as “amazing.” “I felt like the star of the whole stadium. And, it meant a lot to represent Shriners Children’s and show people how their care is changing kids’ lives all over the world,” he said.
Shriners Children’s Boston is also benefiting from Angel’s considerable artistic talent, as he designed the hospital’s holiday card for the second time. For both cards, Angel drew inspiration from some of the iconic attractions featured in the Boston Public Garden. For the 2022 holiday card, Angel paid tribute to Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings, the celebrated bronze sculptures inspired by Robert McCloskey’s classic children’s book, Make Way for Ducklings.
This year, Angel featured another prominent garden installation, the statue of George Washington on horseback, a fixture in the garden since 1869. The statue stands at an impressive 38 feet and was designed by Boston artist Thomas Ball.
Angel set a wintry tone in keeping with the holiday season, creating a snow-dusted scene at dusk, illuminated by the garden’s light fixtures. The George Washington statue holds center stage in Angel’s artwork, illustrating his prominence in Boston’s historical narrative.
As he began conceptualizing the card, Angel spent some time studying prominent Boston landmarks before choosing the Boston Public Garden installation. “I really wanted to capture my city in the winter holiday season, my favorite time of year. Once I picked the scene, everything came together,” Angel said.
It meant a lot to represent Shriners Children’s and show people how their care is changing kids’ lives all over the world.
Angel sustained burn injuries in his home country of the Dominican Republic as a toddler and was transferred to Shriners Children’s Boston for specialized acute burn care. At the time, Angel was living with his grandmother, and she could not travel to Boston with him. Dyani and her adult daughter Laura were volunteering at the hospital and, over time, got to know Angel. Their ability to speak Spanish helped the pair develop a relationship with Angel, who was far from home.
When Angel’s grandmother passed away, Dyani and Laura had already embraced Angel as part of their family and immediately began the process of adopting him.
Angel is now a sophomore at a high school specializing in the arts and returns regularly to Shriners Children’s Boston for burn care. He is currently working with Jonathan Winograd, M.D., a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Shriners Children’s Boston. Recent surgeries have focused on increasing the functionality of his hands, both by enhancing his range of motion and refining scarring.
“This is helping me do everyday things more easily, like going to the gym, holding bags, writing, opening doors, getting dressed and doing art. As I’ve gotten older, my care has shifted from just releasing my fingers to focusing on what will give me the most independence and allow me to do the things I love,” Angel said.
As Angel reflects on his experiences at Shriners Children’s Boston, he has some perspective to share with patients just beginning their healing journey after a burn injury. “You’re about to meet some amazing people who will support you, cheer for you, and basically become family. You’re not doing this alone.”
Angel has embraced his role as a Patient Ambassador and welcomes the opportunity to give back to the healthcare system. “Shriners Children’s has done so much for me over the years, especially helping my hands do everyday things. Being able to represent them felt really special, like I finally got to give back in the coolest way,” he said.
