Alexis:
In April 2018, I was diagnosed with scoliosis.
Braelynn:
I was born without my left forearm and everybody was surprised.
Austin:
I have a disease called Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, collectively known as Perthes disease.
Sofie:
I was born with spina bifida.
Gabbi:
We came to Shriners, we got checked out, and they said that I do have scoliosis.
Alexus:
I had an infection in my leg and they thought that I wasn't going to be able to walk. And after the surgery, and I have been recovering, I'm going to be able to walk now.
Austin:
I love it here because of all the cool things they do. Because when I'm riding my bike, I feel like I'm free.
Alexis:
Well, I was a little bit nervous because I wondered if I could still do what I love, which is to dance. But all of the doctors cleared up my questions and they said that I was able to still do what I love.
Alexus:
I can walk and run like the other kids at my school.
Gabbi:
They have a whole system for scoliosis and they actually look into it.
Braelynn:
They helped me actually tie my shoes before and I learned that. I can ride my bike and I can drive my four-wheeler. I do figure skating, cross country, dance and softball.
Jordan:
I get to ride bikes with my sister.
Kaylee:
We all are able to go out and get exercise instead of saying inside. But now we can go out in new places and she can come with us.
Sofie:
Without them I don't think I could be able to walk or swim or just the fact that I can do sister things makes me happy.
Alexis:
Well, Shriners is really an awesome place, so there's nothing to be scared about. Everybody here is so friendly and they'll help you out whenever you need it.
Jadon:
I love my fine new bike.
Kaylee:
It's really fun to see her trying a new thing that she wasn't able to do before.
Austin:
Basically they understand what it's like to be me. It makes me feel like I'm not really alone.
Alexus:
They take really good care of you because some hospitals don't.
Sofie:
They make you feel safe.
Braelynn:
I wouldn't have most of my friends that I have today because a lot of my friends are through Shriners and they've helped me get to know that I'm not the only one who is like me through all their camps. It doesn't feel like a hospital here. They're way more kid friendly.
Austin:
It's kind of like you know that there are people who know you and look after you, and it's just a welcoming place.
Sofie:
They never stop looking for a solution. When you have a problem, they always are there for you. They got your back.
Braelynn:
I love how caring everybody is and how much camps they put on and how active they are with the patients.
Alexus:
They take care of you so much further because they care about you. They don't want to see a kid struggling because of their disability.
Alexis:
Because of how much the Shriners has given me, I want to do the same for others and give back to them.
Austin:
I don't feel like I'm just giving back to the kids, I feel like I'm giving back to everybody, the trainers, for all of the care that I've received over the years. I want to add on to what Shriners can give.
Kaylee:
So people like my sister are able to try new things and be able to move around like everyone else would.
Austin:
That it is important.
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