I was born in Walla Walla Wa May 1954. Late that summer I was diagnosed with polio by the family doctor. In 1956 I was sponsored by a local Shriner who was my physical therapist and admitted to the Spokane Wa hospital for my first surgery. My parents had been told by the family physician that I would never walk without braces and crutches. My parents moved from Washington to Idaho to Salt Lake City and I stayed under the care of Shriners. In about 1960 I checked into the hospital in Salt Lake for the first of 3 surgeries. My memories of the SLC Shriners are very fond and very different compared to what I imagine the facilities are today. By this time I was walking running riding my bike and enjoying a relatively normal boyhood at least from my point of view. My parents in 1968 moved to Los Angeles and I checked into the LA hospital for 2 more surgeries.
My mother always had a sore spot for the family doc that said I’d never walk. She compiled movies of me water skiing and competing in the LA city high school gymnastics championships on the rings proudly taking third place.
All of this made possible by the Shriners persistent belief they could help me get better and better.
I owe the Shriners a huge debt of gratitude for all they did so that I could live a normal productive life and raise a fabulous family.
I am a patient from Shriners Hospital for Children in Salt Lake City and my experience there consisted of wonderful and positive, uplifting feelings! I have had 5 surgeries through the hospital and they have done incredible and amazing things! I am able to walk today because of my surgeries through Shriners Hospital for Children in Salt Lake City. The staff are incredibly kind and easy to talk with. From the kitchen to the front desk to the doctors and nurses, the staff at Shriners in Salt Lake City need to be recognized for their work with children. Their programs through the hospital are definitely something worth checking out as well. I’m a Patient Ambassador for the hospital and recently I had the opportunity to be apart of the Shrine Bowl with another Patient Ambassador. We were able to represent the hospital in Wyoming even though our actual hospital is in Utah. I am so blessed to know Shriners personally, to get the help I needed at Shriners Hospital for Children in Salt Lake City, and to represent the hospital as much as I can.
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The comfort and relief you feel on your initial visit is amazing. They strive to make all children regardless of disability that they can do anything. They hold amazing events that allow the children to play and get to know each other and this helps the kids know tnat there are other kids like them.
Shriners hospital has been helping my son for 15 years. He learned how to walk with the aid of foot and ankle orthotics.
What can I say? WOW!!! I couldn't have hand picked better care for my daughter and my family. I am so blessed for all they have done for us. My daughter can walk, climb, jump and run thanks to the amazing care and love provided by Shriner's Hospital for Children - Salt Lake City. I love these people.
Our daughter has received care at Shriners SLC for the past 8 years. The staff cares about the children they serve and makes every effort to improve their lives. The total care Shriners provides is an ideal model for children who have complex needs.
Shriners Hospital for Children has changed my life in ways I can't even explain. Since I was young, they have given me a sense of community and a feeling that yes, I was different, but yes, it's okay. I am an RBE amputee that, through Shriners, has had the opportunity to meet other amputees and get the prosthetics I need for little to no cost to my family. I absolutely adore Shriners and the work they do for kids like me
My daughter has been receiving care at Shriners Hospital, SLC for almost 9 years due to severe infantile scoliosis. Every person you encounter goes out of their way to make our experience is a great one. From surgeons, nurses and OR staff to volunteers, custodians and shuttle drivers, we have an incredible team looking out for us. The best part is that we don't ever have to decide to move forward with a specific treatment or not based off of cost. We know that we will get top notch care no matter our current financial situation and that truly means the world to us. Nobody should have to choose what's best for their child based off what they can afford. None of it would be possible without all the many volunteers and donors. Huge thank you to those who give in any capacity. We know we can't ever repay the help we've received but look forward to the day we can give back!
We have had such amazing experiences with Shriners Hospital for Children in Salt Lake City. Our daughter has received top quality care and always made to feel like the most important person in the world.
Shriners a hospital has been such a blessing to our family! The doctors, nurses and everyone on their staff is so kind, and loving! I can't thank them enough!
Shriner's hospitals for Children has blessed our lives in more ways than we can even describe. Not only have they helped to provide our son with all the resources necessary to keep him running and playing like other children, but they have also paired us up with other families like ours. This makes it possible for Easton to have interaction with other kids in a similar situation who are all excelling and living with no limits. What a great family to be a part of. The Shriner's Hospitals for Children-Salt Lake is truly like a family. We love everyone there and look forward to our visits!
We have been a part of the Shriners family for the past 14 years. Each year and sometimes more often my son receives a new and custom designed prosthetic. The prosthetic has allowed him to walk, play, jump, run, swim and ski just like every other kid. My son has no limitations or disabilities. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Shriners for keeping his dreams alive.
I went to Shriners hospitals for children at the age of 14. I have congenital scoliosis along with a birth defect in the mid section of my spine. Shriners was accommodating, kind, and they make it feel like home! I saw doctor Santora for my scoliosis and asked him what my options were. Since my scoliosis is so progressive a brace wouldn't make a difference so my only option was surgery. I got the spinal fusion surgery which means I got 2 rods and 13 screws put into my spine! Spinal fusion is a pretty big surgery but the Shriners hospitals for children made it possible and gave me my life back. If I hadn't gotten the surgery I would have been in a wheelchair. I'm so grateful for everyone at the Shriners hospitals for children!
Shriners is by far the best at caring for the whole patient. From the check in/sign in to the nurses and doctors, to therapy and more. With the number of medical professionals our children require based on special needs, we have seen it all. Shriners rocks!
Shriners Hospital for Children in Salt Lake City is a unique and amazing healthcare facility! The family oriented care has helped us adapt to the care needs of our daughter. Additionally, we have not found such caring and capable therapists and staff at any other facility. We highly recommend Shriners Hospital and plan to support their efforts however we can long after our daughter is grown.
Most of us think of hospitals as these awful places you never want to go to. But Shriners comes from a dream world.
When you walk through the big rotating doors you feel like you're entering this magical, sacred temple for children. The burdens of the real world no longer exist and you and your child are now being truly cared for.
The fact that it is completely free is of course an enormously important component to Shriners' success. Gone is the stress and worry of how to pay for what are complicated and increasingly expensive procedures.
My daughter's condition is Spina Bifida. It is degenerative. Our goals are always aimed at fighting what is ultimately an escalating and losing battle. Knowing that the costs will not increase for us as a family cannot be overemphasized.
When you work with the staff at Shriners, you can tell that they not only care about your child, but you sense that they are extremely good at what they do. They are clearly a cut above what you would experience on average at a typical hospital.
The professionals there have opinions and they are not afraid to share them with you and educate you on your options. But they are also open to other routes, taking into consideration the feelings and priorities of the family.
I've been particularly impressed with our daughter's physical therapist. Motivating a child to do things that are hard and may cause pain is a real gift from heaven. He's been incredible at helping her get excited about her work and teaching us parents how to do the same.
Because of my experience with this hospital I feel strongly that this is one of the best organizations in the world to donate one's time and money, and I've committed myself to do just that for the rest of my life.
From the Physicians to the cafeteria staff, everyone here believes in the mission to help children reach their potential through top-notch medical care!
I've never not wanted to come in to work each morning. I look forward to each day with excitement. I get in intermingle with the patient's. Because of their young ages, it's a joy to be able to work with kids. The people I work with are so WONDERFUL ... I would hate to have to transfer or work anywhere else. THE DOCTORS ROCK !!!!!
I love working here and seeing first-hand how much our care changes the lives of children. The medical care is phenomenal, and the staff love the patients like their own family. I am always so happy to see how much the children love coming here, and how they're able to reach milestones they never thought they could - whether it's winning gold medals at the Paralympics, or taking their first steps with the help of a prosthetic. And best of all - no child gets turned away if they can't pay.
I've worked at Shriners Hospitals for Children, SLC for 10 years and I love the mission, vision, and values here. The doctors are amazing, true healers. The patient care departments are genuine in their concern for the patients and families. Everyone takes pride in their work and this truly is a wonderful place.
I am PROUD to work for this hospital which provides first-rate care to so many kids in need. It's an amazing mission, carried out by staff who care.
I have nothing but positive things to say about Shriners Hospitals for Children. The staff is great! The things that are done for the children are truly amazing.
Been volunteer for 19 years at Shriners Hospital. Interacting with the patients and families is amazing. The kids are so special.
SHC-SLC 04/06/2016
Thank you for your 19 years of service! We're lucky to have such committed volunteers.