OUR KIDS
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Philadelphia
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Garrett | Fourteen-year-old Garrett was injured in a car accident when he was 4, which resulted in a high-level spinal cord injury (SCI) that left him unable to walk. He became a patient at Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia several months after the accident. At age 6, after he began to lose hand function, doctors at Shriners Hospital performed two tendon transfer surgeries that allow him to hold and grasp items.
At age 10, to promote the need for SCI awareness and research, Garrett and his father, a pilot, flew to 49 state capitols to bring the message to legislators.
Tampa
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Leigh | Seven-year-old Leigh was born with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), also known as brittle bone disease. OI is a genetic disorder caused by imperfectly formed bone collagen that causes bones to break extremely easily. At just three weeks old, Leigh was admitted to Shriners Hospital in Tampa as the youngest patient in a clinical study just beginning on the effects of pamidronate. Even with pamidronate, Leigh has had 20 broken bones, which she says, "is not so fun." She has had rods inserted in her legs to strengthen the bones.
Leigh is in the gifted program at school and is a popular, exuberant, confident child. For her third birthday, she asked guest bring money to help Shriners Hospitals, instead of toys. Her request has become an annual fundraiser.
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Portland
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Megan |
Fifteen-year-old Megan has been a patient at the Portland Shriners Hospital since she was 6. Born in Seoul, Korea, Megan had a sever case of hemifacial dysplasia, which resulted in a cleft lip and palate and other serious facial bone-growth problems.
As she underwent a series of operations to revise her facial bone structure, Megan's innate compassion and concern for others became evident. She helped her Girl Scout troop's efforts by collecting 2,000 videos for patients at the Portland hospital, and she is now raising money for Shriners Hospitals.
She also started "Megan's Mission" to make blankets and provide socks and hats for Seattle's homeless population. She finances the project herself by selling bracelets and running a hot cider stand during the holidays. Megan also takes music and tae kwon do lessons.
Chicago
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Shannon |
Eighteen-year-old Shannon has been a patient at the Chicago Shriners Hospital since she was 3. Over the years, she has had 14 surgeries to repair a unilateral cleft lip and palate, as well as other problems associated with this congenital disorder.
Shannon always makes music a priority. She has played the alto saxophone for eight years, and she is passionate about singing. In high school, Shannon sang soprano in the varsity choir, was part of an all-girls swing choir and performed in a variety of shows.
Shannon volunteers at the Shriners Circus and other special events. After graduating college, Shannon hopes to become a speech pathologist and help children.
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