We got some pretty terrible news today. Thankfully not directly regarding Delaney, but devastating all the same. Our beloved and wonderful Erie Shriner's may be closing their doors, along with 6 other Shriner's out of the 22. Shriner's in Erie is 1 out of only 4 hospitals in the U.S. that does corrective casting for Infantile Scoliosis. They also deal with many orthopedic issues including spinal cord abnormalities, club foot, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, hand & hip disorders, and limb deficiencies. All of which are life altering problems.
If you have read my other posts, you know how much I adore Shriner's. I think what they do for children is AMAZING! The idea that this hospital helps children for free and never turns anyone away is phenomenal. So many people are not aware of all the good they do. I don't think there is enough awareness out there that these are hospitals that run solely on donations. These people are all volunteers who not only give their time and skills to help children, but they become like family. They treat each child individually and with so much kindness and compassion. I believe some of Gods angels work at these hospitals. There are no words to truly describe this wonderful place.
This particular hospital is the only one that told us they could CURE Delaney. Infantile Scoliosis is a potentially fatal and certainly a debilitating issue that is not getting the recognition it deserves. Her prognosis before we ended up at Shriner's was not good. Had we not found them, who knows the path Delaney's (and our) lives would go. But I can bet it would be a hard and horrible road to travel. This hospital is helping children and families survive this horror, and the thought that it may shut down is numbing.
Because Delaney's treatment is only offered at 3 other places in the U.S. we will have to travel to get her the proper care. But what will happen to all the other children this will effect. They either won't get the care they need at all or they will travel hundreds of miles to one of the few Shriner's left. Another bleak alternative for some of the patients is to go to a regular children's hospital where they will pay thousands of dollars for ongoing treatments (and that's if they offer the proper treatment for that child). And I can almost guarantee they will not get the care & attention they get from Shriner's. If you would like to see the article about the closing follow this link...
http://erieathome.com/dct/62/id/324438/mid/148/Shriners-May-Close-Erie-Hospital.aspx
Shriner's has been helping children since 1920. How amazing is that?? You can't tell me that it has stayed open through the depression, and wars and other recessions just to be shut down now. I know the economy sucks, I know everyone is hurting...but so are these kids. I am asking that you give up that morning latte or dinner out or even count all the change you have had in a jar since 1980 and donate it to save this hospital. This is soo important!! Please, please consider what you can give up once or twice and donate that little bit to help. Every cent matters!!
The link to donate to Shriner's Hospital for Children is on the sidebar and I will also provide it below.
If you donate please be sure to specify you want the donation to go to the ERIE, PA Shriner's.
http://erieathome.com/dct/62/id/324438/mid/148/Shriners-May-Close-Erie-Hospital.aspx
Thank you all!
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