Shriners International Awareness Day
Spinal Technology has had a long lasting relationship with Shriners Children's Hospital for over three decades. David Collins, CO was one of the founding managers of POPS (Pediatric Orthotics Prosthetics Services) in 2009.
Shriners International Awareness Day is celebrated annually on June 6th. It's a day to honor the founding of the Imperial Council, the original governing body of the fraternity, which occurred on June 6, 1876. Shriners International Awareness Day is a chance for Shriners to reflect on their organization's history, the fellowship they share, and the charitable work they do to improve the lives of others.
Spinal Technology is a proud partner of Shriners Children's Hospitals across the country. We sponsor many local events to help support and raise awareness for several Shriners locations including Walks for Love and the Fin-Raise Aquarium event recently held in Philadelphia. David Collins, CO who is now a Customer Relations and Education Executive at Spinal Technology spends a great deal of his time visiting the POPS departments in many different Shriners Children's Hospitals across the United States.
Learn More about Scoliosis Care at Shriners
Stephanie Polito is a proud scoliosis ambassador and a supporter of Shriners Children's Hospital. Below we will share the incredible story of Stephanie, a patient who received life-changing treatment at Shriners Hospitals for Children. From her diagnosis to her surgery and recovery, Stephanie's journey is a testament to the exceptional care provided by Shriners Children's Hospital New England in Springfield, MA.
"The reason why I picked Shriners Hospital is because there are a remarkable hospital. The things that they do for their patients, they go above and beyond and you will never see anything like this at any type of hospital."- Stephanie Polito
Stephanie's Journey:
Diagnosed at the age of 7, Stephanie began treating her severe scoliosis with a full-time brace at first and then a night-time brace for several years. Her spine had a curvature of 59 degrees, causing her significant discomfort and difficulty with everyday activities. The stigma associated with wearing a back brace was hard to endure as kids made fun of her for how she looked. After exploring various treatment options, Stephanie and her family chose Shriners Hospitals for Children for her surgery and recovery over 15 years ago.
The Surgery and Recovery:
On October 19, 2009 Stephanie underwent a 13-hour surgery at Shriners Hospitals for Children, where the medical team worked on her rib cage and spine to correct the curvature. After the successful surgery Stephanie had to learn how to do everything all over again with physical therapy learning how to walk again and learning how to do all her daily living skills again. Despite initial fears and wanting to cry and give up, Stephanie's recovery was supported by wonderful dedicated nurses, doctors, and therapists who went above and beyond to ensure her well-being. Today, Stephanie stands tall at 5'2", having grown 2 inches after her surgery.
The Shriners Difference:
Stephanie's positive experience at Shriners Hospitals for Children is a testament to the exceptional care and support provided to patients. The hospital's commitment to going above and beyond for their patients sets them apart, making it a place where children and families can find hope and healing. Having her family so close and helping her throughout the entire journey made the experience at Shriners so successful.
"I have to say a big thank you to the doctors and nurses from Shriner's New England for all their hard work, help and their support." -Stephanie Polito
Stephanie's journey at Shriners Hospitals for Children is a powerful reminder of the impact that dedicated medical care and support can have on a patient's life. If you or a loved one are facing a similar medical challenge, consider Shriners Hospitals for Children as a place of hope and healing.
Because of Stephanie's experience and the positive impact it has had on her life today, Stephanie makes sure to share her story with others and spread Scoliosis Awareness. In 2019, Stephanie participated in a radio-thon that was hosted by her uncle to raise pledges for Shriners Children's Hospital of New England.
Listen to Stephanie's Story
What would you say to a family who has a child with severe scoliosis and worried about having surgery?
I would say that you should go to Shriners Hospital in Springfield because it is the best surgery for any type of bone structure that you have. Shriners Hospital it's like Disney World, Magic Kingdom. It's the best place that you will ever go to. The nurses go out of their way. I remember my surgeon went out of his way to make sure I was okay. Because I remember I was struggling with a problem after my procedure and he made sure that everything went well and smoothly.
I didn't have just one nurse who came into my recovery room, I had 4 or 5 nurses that came in my recovery room and I have never seen better service. I also remember after my surgery, I went into the physical therapy room and the whole staff, the nurses, the doctors were just wonderful.
They really truly care about their patients and they want them to get better and succeed. So when a patient leaves the hospital they can feel good about themselves and they can look back 20 years from now and think wow I can't believe how well I did thanks to Shriners.
