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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2017-05-10, Page 22 Signal Star • Wednesday, May 10, 2017 Providing the highest quality care to children How the Shriners Hospitals for if Children has helped a local woman Kathleen Smith Goderich Signal Star The Shriners were estab- lished in 1870, and the Shrin- ers Hospitals for Children has treated children for Orthopae- dics, Cleft Lip and Palate, Burn Care and Spinal Cord Injury. Families with children with disabilities can turn to the Shriners and go to the Shriner Hospitals for second medical opinions and treatment, with no cost to the families. The only Shriners Hospital in Canada is the Montreal Unit, with several others in the United States, including Erie, Pennsylvania. The mission of the Shriners Hospitals for Children is to provide the highest quality care to children with neuro- musculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries and other spe- cial healthcare needs within a compassionate, family -cen- tered and collaborative care environment. GODERICH 524-7811 Fri & Sat 8:00 Sun - Thur 7:30 Sat &Sun Mat 1:30 M� Language way oa«+d IG Not Recommended to Young Children GAL / J Charlie Hunnam Jude Law king tn•tijtt*11 U$tII O 11111 Fri & Sat 8:00 Sun - Thur 7:30 Sat & Sun Mat 1:30 craonrc woieroe Otsturbing language May Mend www.movielinks.ca long distanc01-800-265-3438 LAST WEEK OF PERFORMANCES GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! he soder ch Little Theatre Presents THE 3STE From Hitchcock to Hillarious! Directed by Nina Renolds Adapted by Patick Barlow from the John Buchan novel, special arrangement with Samuel French May 4, 5. 6,10, 11.12, 13 at8pm&May 7at2pni • Tickets available online at thelivery.ca or call 519-524-6262 or visit us at 35 South Street Goderich during box office hours. The Shriners Hospitals work to aspire to be the best at transforming children's lives by providing excep- tional healthcare through innovative research. After treatments at Lon- don Sick Kids and Toronto Sick Kids, a local family looked to the Shriners and their medical care centre for their daughter. At the age of 15, Amanda (Wattam) Elliott was taken to the Erie Shrine Hospital for treatment many times. "I was two years old when I was diagnosed with a rare bone disease called Polyos- totic Fibrous Dysplasia/ McCune Albright Syndrome. My bones have soft spots and break easily," explained Amanda. McCune -Albright Syn- drome (MAS) is a disorder that affects the bones, skin and several hormone -pro- ducing tissues. There is no specific treatment for MAS, but surgical intervention can help delay symptoms and immobility. Her treatment started when Amanda was in sec- ondary school at F.E. Madill in Wingham, when she was confined to a wheelchair and told the probability of her walking again was slim. For the next three years Amanda endured three oper- ations and constant visits to London Sick Children's Hos- pital. After sixteen operations, numerous tests and visits, Amanda's doctor no longer knew what to do, to help her, and began to prepare her for a life in a wheelchair. "When I was 15, I couldn't go to the Toronto Sick Kids anymore and had to go to an adult hospital then. My mom contacted the Shriners at that point," said Amanda "Toronto Sick Kids told my mom that if we didn't hurry up and get surgery, then I would be in a wheelchair," Amanda stated. "I knew that eventually I Contributed photo Amanda Elliott and her husband on their wedding day, surrounded by members of the Shriners group. The Shriners and their hospitals are a reason why Amanda was not confined to a wheelchair at a young age. would be in one, but I didn't want to go into one at 15. They [the Shriners] had to evaluate me before they took on my case. The Shriners Hospital will not take a child on if they aren't certain they can make a significant difference in that child's life." According to Amanda, within two weeks, they received a phone call and were requested to go to the hospital for a consultation and within a few months had her first surgery. For each surgery, Amanda remained in hospital for three weeks and the Shriners would cover all expenses, medical and personal. According to Amanda, as of today, she has had a total of 34 surgeries since the age of two. She now uses crutches and a motorized wheelchair in her home throughout the day. After many surgeries and treatment through the gener- osity and kindness of the Shriners and the doctors at the Shriner Hospitals, Amanda Elliott can now move around reasonably well. "Throughout this, there was no financial burden. They covered everything - meals, gas, hotels, hospital stays, and medical supplies. The Shriners covered it all. It is absolutely wonderful," said Amanda. . "I'm 37 years old now, and I am using two crutches and I use a wheelchair at home, but I think I would have ended up in a wheelchair permanently and sooner. The surgery helped delay my symptoms." The generosity and the services that the Shriners and their hospital provided for Amanda and her family eased financial stress and decreased won -y for Amanda and her parents during that difficult time. Due to the option to have surgeries and treatment at the Shriners Hospital in Erie, Amanda does not rely on the full time use of a wheelchair. Amanda resides in Goderich with her husband Greg and their children. "The amount of care, moral support and financial aid my family and I received was end- less. They have a special place in my heart and I can never truly thank them enough," explained Amanda. "To this day, they keep in contact to see how everything from my medical well-being to how my beautiful family is doing. They are the men who have given myself and many children a brighter outlook to their future, a reason to keep pushing themselves to be the best they can be." The Mocha Shriner's Spring Ceremonial 2017 will take place on June 2, 3 and 4 in Goderich. �� ; ake one service .°" FREE for 3 NIonths. 284 Bayfield Rd, Goderich, ON (519) 612-3800 www.huronteion.ca Choose fro'nTeephone. Internet or TV services. YOUR HURONTEL CELLULAR BILL EVERY MONTH!