Young Burn Survivor Thrives Following Treatment at Shriners Children’s Boston

Hannah’s care team at Shriners Children’s Boston is crediting her favorite activity, aerial gymnastics, for helping her recover from burn injuries sustained as a toddler.

“The staff at Shriners Children’s Boston has been impressed by how much her hands have changed without surgery,” said Hannah’s mother, Nicole. “Aerial gymnastics has caused Hannah to use her hands, stretch the skin and keep it loose along the way.” Hannah’s medical team is applauding her interest in gymnastics, which is keeping her active and helping the healing process.

When Hannah was a year old, she burned both hands after crawling up to and touching a glass-fronted fireplace. Nicole remembers how overwhelmed she and her husband, Joshua, felt when they first brought Hannah to Shriners Children’s Boston. She had been seen previously in another medical facility where her parents were told that Hannah would likely need surgery. When the family arrived at Shriners Children’s Boston, they talked with Hannah’s care team about developing a treatment plan that would reduce or eliminate the need for surgery if possible. Nicole and Joshua were relieved after it was determined that she would not need surgery.

Hannah’s parents credit the remarkable team at Shriners Children’s Boston for helping them through the treatment process. “Each appointment has been amazing. The staff have been so sweet with how they have treated Hannah,” said Nicole.

Nicole and Joshua said Robert L. Sheridan, M.D., chief of staff and director of the burn service, made a particularly positive impact on Hannah. Initially, Hannah was fearful of doctors, and Nicole said Dr. Sheridan helped bring a sense of calm. “Dr. Sheridan has always kept things light and simple, so Hannah doesn’t get scared or overwhelmed,” said Nicole. Now, Hannah looks forward to her trips to Boston.

Dr. Sheridan shared that one of his favorite parts of working at Shriners Children’s Boston is interacting with patients and their families in the outpatient clinic, which is where Hannah has had her appointments. “I like the personal connections you make. I enjoy seeing the kids in follow-up, seeing how they’re doing, and how school is going,” said Dr. Sheridan.

Nicole explained that the Shriners Children’s Boston staff has been there every step of the way to help Hannah “with plastic braces to stretch her hands, with gauze and lotion, and with advice and encouragement that has helped us feel confident in how we treat her burn injuries.”

Nicole is offering words of advice to families navigating their journey at Shriners Children’s Boston. “Share with your doctor and team how much you want to work together. Help them see how invested you are in your child’s recovery, and willing to do whatever it takes to make it possible,” emphasized Nicole.

One of the highlights of Hannah’s time at Shriners Children’s Boston is interacting with the Shriners who volunteer at the hospital. “The Shriners would make the patients in the clinic waiting area laugh, they gave out stickers and helped our children not be scared during such a tense time,” said Nicole. Nicole and Joshua adopted Hannah and her twin sister. Rebekah. when they were toddlers. She remembers how much both her daughters loved seeing the Shriners who “always had such sweet hearts and kind smiles at the ready, whenever we showed up.”

In Hannah’s free time, she remains active with aerial gymnastics, an activity that brings her joy. “She is constantly doing cartwheels, back and front walkovers, and using aerial silks, the gymnastics bar and rings,” said Nicole.