
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of non-profit children's hospitals and paediatric medical facilities across North America. The hospitals are owned and operated by Shriners International, a Freemasonry-related organisation. The first hospital in the system opened on 16 September 1922, to provide orthopaedic care. Since then, Shriners Hospitals have treated children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate. One such patient is nine-year-old Jason, who was born with bilateral complex clubfoot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Jason |
| Age | 9 years old |
| Place of Birth | Upstate New York |
| Condition | Bilateral complex clubfoot |
| Number of Trips to the Hospital | 60+ |
| Total Miles Travelled | 13,500+ |
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What You'll Learn

Jason's age: nine years old
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of non-profit children's hospitals and paediatric medical facilities across North America. The hospitals provide care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate. This care is provided in a family-centred environment, and children are treated regardless of their family's ability to pay.
Jason, a patient at Shriners Children's New England, is nine years old. He was born with bilateral complex clubfoot and has been a patient at the hospital since December 2010. Over the course of 60 trips to the hospital, Jason has travelled more than 13,500 miles. Thanks to the treatment he has received, he is now able to run, play, and do everything a nine-year-old child should be able to do.
Like many patients at Shriners Hospitals, Jason has received life-changing care that has allowed him to live a richer and fuller life. The hospitals aim to provide this type of care to children from birth up to the age of 18, and in some cases, this care may be extended to age 21.
One example of the impact of Shriners Hospitals is seen in the story of Kaleb Wolff, a 15-year-old ambassador who shared how the hospital saved his life. Kaleb was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, and has broken his bones over 200 times. Despite these challenges, he has undergone 11 surgeries and is now learning to stand and walk on his own.
Through the support of donors and fundraisers, Shriners Hospitals for Children has helped over 1.5 million children reach their potential and lead more fulfilling lives.
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Jason's condition: bilateral complex clubfoot
Clubfoot, also known as talipes equinovarus, is a congenital or acquired defect where one or both feet are rotated inward and downward. It is a common condition, affecting about 1 in every 1,000 newborns. In around 50% of cases, both feet are affected, but it can also present unilaterally, causing one leg or foot to be shorter than the other.
The condition is characterised by shorter and tighter tendons in the baby's leg and foot, which cause the foot to twist. Clubfoot is often broadly classified into two major groups: isolated (idiopathic) clubfoot and non-isolated clubfoot. Isolated clubfoot, the most common form, occurs in children with no other medical problems, while non-isolated clubfoot occurs in combination with various health conditions or neuromuscular disorders such as arthrogryposis and spina bifida.
The exact cause of clubfoot is usually not identified, but both genetic and environmental factors are believed to play a role. Mutations in genes involved in muscle development, specifically those encoding the muscle contractile complex (MYH3, TPM2, TNNT3, TNNI2, and MYH8), are risk factors for clubfoot. Additionally, there appears to be a hereditary component, with a 25% risk of developing congenital clubfoot if a first-degree relative is affected, and a 33% chance if one identical twin is affected.
The diagnosis of clubfoot can be made prenatally as early as 13 weeks of gestation via ultrasound or at birth by physical examination. The most common initial treatment is the Ponseti method, which involves two phases: correcting the foot position and casting at repeated weekly intervals. If the clubfoot deformity does not improve with casting, an Achilles tendon tenotomy may be performed. This minor procedure releases continued tightness in the Achilles tendon, allowing it to regrow to a proper, longer length.
Jason, a patient at Shriners Children's New England, was born with bilateral complex clubfoot. He has travelled over 13,500 miles on more than 60 trips to the hospital for treatment. Thanks to the care he received, Jason, now nine years old, is able to run, play, and do everything a child his age should. While his feet will never be "normal", they are now flat on the floor, and he is living a full life.
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Jason's treatment: orthopedic care
Jason, a patient at Shriners Children's New England, was born with bilateral complex clubfoot. He is currently nine years old and has been receiving treatment since December 2010.
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of non-profit children's hospitals and pediatric medical facilities across North America. The hospitals provide orthopedic, spine, burn, and other specialty care and rehabilitation for children until the age of 18, with some cases extending to 21. Treatment is provided regardless of the patient's ability to pay or insurance status.
The orthopedic care offered at Shriners Children's includes treatment for scoliosis, limb discrepancies, clubfoot, hip dysplasia, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The hospitals also treat neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida.
The Shriners Children's Orthopedic Center at UHealth Jackson Children's Care offers comprehensive pediatric orthopedic care for routine and complex injuries and conditions. The specialists at this center use minimally invasive technologies to reduce scarring and accelerate recovery time. They may also recommend physical therapy, occupational therapy, medications, or other treatments to help patients regain or improve their strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
Jason's treatment for his bilateral complex clubfoot has been successful, as he is now able to run, play, and do everything a nine-year-old should. While his feet will never be "normal", they are now flat on the floor, allowing him to live a full and active life.
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Jason's family's experience: over 60 trips to the hospital
Jason, a patient at Shriners Children's New England, is a nine-year-old boy from upstate New York. He was born with bilateral complex clubfoot, a condition that came as a surprise to his mother, Laura. Since 2010, Jason and his family have made over 60 trips to the hospital, travelling more than 13,500 miles back and forth.
When asked if all the travel was worth it, Laura emphatically responded, "Every mile." She expressed her gratitude for the support and care they received from the hospital staff, who went above and beyond to ensure that their family felt loved and supported throughout their journey. The staff provided reassurance and reminded them that they could still live their lives fully as parents, families, and children.
The Shriners Hospitals for Children network is dedicated to providing family-centred care for children with various medical conditions. The hospitals are committed to helping children from birth to age 18, and sometimes even up to age 21, regardless of their families' ability to pay. They specialise in treating conditions such as orthopaedic issues, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate.
Jason's family's experience with Shriners Children's New England highlights the impact of the hospital's care and support on their lives. The family has endured numerous trips to the hospital, but the improvements in Jason's condition and the support from the staff have made it all worthwhile. The hospital's outpatient clinic has played a crucial role in Jason's treatment and overall well-being, enabling him to run, play, and enjoy the life of a nine-year-old.
The Shriners Hospitals for Children network, with its headquarters in Tampa, Florida, is owned and operated by Shriners International, a Freemasonry-related organisation. The hospitals' advertising campaign, "Love to the Rescue," reflects their commitment to providing love and care to young patients like Jason. The network has consistently ranked highly in popularity and credibility among charitable and non-profit organisations in America.
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Shriners Children's New England: a non-profit children's hospital
Shriners Children's New England is a non-profit children's hospital and outpatient clinic located in Springfield, Massachusetts. It is part of a network of Shriners Hospitals for Children, which are owned and operated by Shriners International, a Freemasonry-related organisation. The hospitals are committed to providing care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate, regardless of the patient's ability to pay.
The Shriners Children's New England hospital provides inpatient rehabilitation, neurodevelopmental paediatric, rheumatology, rehabilitation, and urology services, as well as specialised orthopedic care. The hospital treats patients from birth to age 18, and in some cases, up to age 21. The experienced care team at this location brings hope and healing to children and families in Massachusetts and beyond.
One of their patients, Jason, is a nine-year-old boy from upstate New York who was born with bilateral complex clubfoot. Since 2010, Jason and his family have travelled over 13,500 miles on more than 60 trips to the hospital. Jason's mother, Laura, expressed that the support and care they received from the staff at Shriners Hospital were invaluable. She shared that they were initially nervous about the unknowns of their son's condition and treatment, but the friendly and child-centred environment at the hospital put them at ease. Thanks to the treatment he received, Jason can now run, play, and do everything a nine-year-old should.
The Springfield Shriners Hospital has also implemented workplace safety standards during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the health and safety of their staff, patients, and families. This commitment to safety allowed them to continue providing life-changing care to their patients during challenging times.
Shriners Children's New England, like other Shriners Hospitals, relies on donations and fundraising efforts to continue its mission. In the past, celebrities like Rob Gronkowski have also supported the hospital by visiting and spending time with the patients.
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Frequently asked questions
Jason is nine years old.
Shriners Children's New England is located at the crossroads of New England.
Jason was born with bilateral complex clubfoot.
Since December 2010, Jason and his family have travelled over 13,500 miles over 60+ trips to the hospital.
Shriners Hospital provides treatment from birth to age 18, although in some cases, it may be extended to age 21.


























