ShrinerMagazineFall2021

Get to know our National Patient Ambassadors Seth Two pet peeves: “People who are grammatically incorrect, and people who don’t say 'thank you' when I hold the door open for them.”

Connor, 15, was born with a bilateral incomplete cleft lip and complete cleft palate involv- ing the hard and soft palate. His journey with Shriners Hospitals for Children — Chicago began when he was 3 weeks old and will extend until he is 21, so that some repairs can be made after he has stopped growing. One of Connor’s passions is golf. He maintains a busy training schedule and hopes to become a

Connor

Introvert or extrovert? “I’m an extrovert. Ask anyone from my school and they’ll tell you there’s never a quiet room when I’m in it.”

pro. Along with his family, Connor is part of a large local annual golf tournament that has raised more than $200,000 for Shriners Hospitals for Children over the years. “I want to help other kids feel good about themselves and their differences,” Connor said.

Sydney If you were an animal, which would you be? “A stingray, because they are the birds of the ocean.” If you were a superhero, what powers would you have? “The power to read minds. I might regret it, but I like to know what people are thinking.” Mia What motivates you to work hard? “Some people say ‘life hasn't been kind to me,’ but I disagree. I just have a different journey than you … I work hard because I’m a fighter.” Introvert or extrovert? “Extrovert because I like to socialize and meet people. But I feel more comfortable keeping my inner dialogue on the inside … because it keeps me a little mysterious.” Connor If you were a superhero, what powers would you have? “Super strong and super healing power to heal anyone.” Introvert or extrovert? “Extrovert, because I'm extra in everything I do.”

Mia, 17, was born with a severe case of infantile idiopathic scoliosis. Her journey with Shriners Hospitals for Children began when she was 2, when she was first seen at Shriners Hospitals for Children — St. Louis. Mia’s treatments have included halo traction, as well as nearly 20 surger- ies, including spinal fusion. Mia’s passion is theater and sing- ing, and she was featured singing in our holiday commercials and in a recording of Foreigner’s hit song I

Mia

Want to Know What Love Is. “For as long as I can remember, I have always loved Shriners Hospitals. Not just because of the life it has given me, but the real love that comes from it,” Mia said.

WHAT IS VBT?

Medical staff at the Philadelphia Shriners Hospital, led by Amer Samdani, M.D., chief of surgery, developed the methods and techniques underlying vertebral body tethering (VBT) and worked with numerous stakeholders to bring the technology involved in VBT to approval. Seth, Sydney and their families trusted Shriners Hospitals enough to seek out our innovative care and expertise. Shriners Hospitals for Children is proud that our research and innovation help improve patients’ lives. We are grateful to National Patient Ambassadors Seth and Sydney for trusting us and for sharing their positive experience with others.

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