The Shriners Hospital Children, Portland

Phew, we survived the Shriner's visit on Wednesday. The worst part, of course, was almost forgetting about it (until 9:00pm on Tuesday night, glad I checked my calendar), then not getting much sleep the night before in order to get ready & be there by 8:15 am (a truly ungodly hour for this family to be anywhere).

I was afraid they would see too much of Jordan's neurological problems* & tell us to get lost, but they were very helpful. They immediately did spine & hip x-rays (she's never had those before), and found that although she arches to the right (ALOT), her spine isn't damaged & no scoliosis yet. The doctors even suggested that with low tone she'll be at a lower risk for scoliosis than if she was arched and stiff/spastic all the time. Then they sent us to the photographer to get full body pictures for her file (oddly, still used film?!?!? huh? didn't seem very efficient), and had her feet molded for ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs). Then we scheduled an occupation therapy (OT) & physical (PT) evaluation for 31 May, which is when we need to be back for the AFO fitting & instructions. Then, the doctors will see her back in 6 months. It all took about 3 hours (very efficient despite the actual film photographs), and it was soooooooooo nice to be able to do things right then & there, instead of running all over town & then having to make another appointment to come back.

Jordan was NOT happy about getting the casts for the molds made -- I wonder how she will like the actual AFOs. . . .

That's one mad Jordan!

*Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of 22 pediatric hospitals in the U.S., Canada and Mexico providing specialized care for orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate. All services are provided at no charge. Eligibility for care is not based on financial need or relationship to a Shriner.