This is a real success story for the Shriners and what we do with the funds we raise for the children to defy the odds.

Every year, Shriners Hospitals for Children® chooses two national patient ambassadors to represent the thousands of children who receive care at the health care system every year. The Ambassadors share their stories to inspire others and raise awareness of Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Meet Olivia

Olivia has cerebral palsy, which affects her mobility. She was originally diagnosed at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Chicago, but since moving to South Carolina, she has been cared for by the Shriners Hospital in Greenville, S.C.

Olivia has benefited from Shriners Hospitals’ expertise in treating the orthopaedic effects of cerebral palsy and in movement analysis. In the movement analysis laboratories, available at 12 Shriners Hospitals facilities, high-speed cameras, reflective markers, force platforms and muscle sensors combine to record and measure how a child with a mobility impairment is moving. A team of medical professionals can then determine the best treatment plan to help the child improve.

After reviewing the data from Olivia’s analysis, her team recommended surgery to lengthen her heel cords and hamstrings. After surgery at age 6 and rehabilitative therapy, Olivia, now 10, has a perfect walking gait and can run, dance, jump on a trampoline, ride a bicycle and keep up with her peers.

Brendon is Back on the Track

Brendon loves to race. In fact, he was on the track in a micro junior car when he was 5, and is a track favorite in his hometown of Tulsa, Okla.

His ability to participate in the sport he loves nearly came to a quick end when he was 7 years old, and was injured in an accident involving a lawn mower. Although he lost a leg, the expertise of the prosthetics staff at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Shreveport and the health care system’s commitment to personalized attention and care combined to get Brendon back on track. Brendon is able to race again – the only difference – now he passes his helmet to collect donations for Shriners Hospitals.

The stories of Olivia and Brendon are representative of the successes that can be found throughout the 22-facility Shriners Hospitals for Children health care system. We applaud their achievements, and those of all the patients they represent in their roles as National Patient Ambassadors. Shriners Hospitals for Children is pleased to have been able to help them on their journey toward life’s endless possibilities.

Watch Olivia’s story and Brendon’s story on our YouTube channel.

About Shriners Hospitals for Children

Shriners Hospitals for Children is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. Our 22 facilities, located in the United States, Canada and Mexico, provide advanced care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate. Learn more at shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Original Story
http://www.shrinersinternational.org/

As Shriners, we are part of an international organization that strengthens us individually, enhances our families and makes us part of a history of brotherhood and camaraderie. And, as Shriners, we also have the opportunity to be legacies. The Legacy Program helps strengthen our fraternal bonds with those closest to us, and allows members to honor the many men before us who laid the foundation of our great fraternity. Each February, which is now designated as Legacy Month, temples are encouraged to host Legacy Nights to promote membership and honor the members who have taken part in this program. Throughout the month, Shriners International will also share stories of legacy families in our various publications and on our websites in recognition of their dedication to the Shriners fraternity. For many men, being a Shriner is a family tradition that stretches across generations. The Legacy Program is a way to honor this special bond. Families who are Leaving a Legacy: Meet the Maxwells For the Maxwell family, being a Shriner is a way of life. Mark Maxwell is the administrator of Ainad Shriners in East St. Louis, Illinois. He and his four brothers, John, Bob, Mike and Glenn, are also members of Ainad. Mark, his four brothers, his sister, and his son and daughter all worked at the temple as teenagers or young adults. Mark’s father, Russell Maxwell, who started the family legacy, joined the fraternity after returning home from World War II. The Maxwell brothers were among the first to formally join the Legacy Program. To them, the program honors the fraternal bond that is so tightly wound around them. “We are very proud to have a family with such a rich history in Shriners International and Ainad,” said Mark. We encourage all of our legacy families to join the Maxwells and register in the Legacy Program today.

To learn more about the Maxwells and the Legacy Program, please download our Legacy Program one sheet.

For more information, please contact the membership development office via e-mail or call 813-281-0300.