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Greetings from Kelowna, Canada
Here is Debbie mother of Walid who is fifteen and diagnosed with a very serious high thoracic kyphosis. In July of 2009, I took Walid to his pediatrician because his back had started to dramatically curve. A consult was made to a specialist at our province's BC children's hospital, a hospital with a mission to provide expert care. I studied their website and felt instantly relieved that my son would be in their hands. Unfortunately at that time I did not yet understand that their orthopedic deparment was struggling with waitlists for almost everything from consults to diagnostic to surgery.
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Once you hear the words your child "needs a surgery no one wants to do unless absolutetly necessary" your world changes. The added stress of hearing "your child is on a waiting list" is a wicked combination almost too much for a parent to endure but I did with much support from family and friends. When I found out that Walid's surgery promised for this summer was not even in the planning stages I became very scared. Why was my son being neglected by the healthcare system at a time when he needed it most? I started my campaign - no more waiting for walid- mama bear was upset.
http://youtu.be/nBjDBb9vnTQ
The video created by my friend was a great gift. It allowed me to know that Walid's story was being told even when I was sleeping and sleeping was something I was having a hard time doing. But there was endless support and even though it was the worst of times in some ways it was the best. All the love that surrounded Walid I knew all would be well. Shriners contacted me when they heard about Walid's long wait and to make a long story short we are going there Oct. 31/11 to start halo traction for about three months and then surgery to fix walid's back.
269610_243767095634715_242834155728009_995923_1249784_n shriners.jpg
BC children's hospital warned me not to go to Shriner's when they heard that we were going for an initial consult Sept. 12 ... they told us they were the only ones that could operate on Walid's advanced condition and if I wanted best care for Walid I should stay with the BC children's hospital. This made me very confused and worried that I would make the wrong choice for my son. It also made me angry that after leaving my son so long, that his curve even though hard to measure was probably between 125-130 degrees, his anterior rib and sternal anatomy quite deformed and his head dramatically forward shot, the hospital was making me second guess looking at other options. Thank goodness I followed Shriners advice to at least go for an initial consult and then decide. I was so impressed by their care, compassion and their expert medical treatment without waitlists; it was easy to tell BC children's hospital that we were switching to Spokane Shriner's Hospital!!!
wow that is some curve.jpg
http://www.globaltvbc.com/video/wait...142&s=dd#video
So I have filed formal complaints with the hospital and hopefully a review board will ensure that other parents are fully informed about their options in the future so that they make their own choice about waiting or not. When I was told that a waitlist was Walid's only option that was clearly not true; I am struggling that a hospital that states their mission is excellent care for children doesn't automatically refer children to hospitals when they cannont deliver on their mission.
272747_243598015651623_242834155728009_995533_6924392_o shriners.jpg
Now my focus will be on Walid's healing journey and I look forward to sharing it with you knowing that your support will be so helpful. I have been so focused on ending the waiting that I have to shift gears, relax and focus on my son and imaging a future where he will soon be walking tall and strong. Cheers Debbie ♥♥
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Greetings from Kelowna, Canada
Here is Debbie mother of Walid who is fifteen and diagnosed with a very serious high thoracic kyphosis. In July of 2009, I took Walid to his pediatrician because his back had started to dramatically curve. A consult was made to a specialist at our province's BC children's hospital, a hospital with a mission to provide expert care. I studied their website and felt instantly relieved that my son would be in their hands. Unfortunately at that time I did not yet understand that their orthopedic deparment was struggling with waitlists for almost everything from consults to diagnostic to surgery.
banner.jpg
Once you hear the words your child "needs a surgery no one wants to do unless absolutetly necessary" your world changes. The added stress of hearing "your child is on a waiting list" is a wicked combination almost too much for a parent to endure but I did with much support from family and friends. When I found out that Walid's surgery promised for this summer was not even in the planning stages I became very scared. Why was my son being neglected by the healthcare system at a time when he needed it most? I started my campaign - no more waiting for walid- mama bear was upset.
http://youtu.be/nBjDBb9vnTQ
The video created by my friend was a great gift. It allowed me to know that Walid's story was being told even when I was sleeping and sleeping was something I was having a hard time doing. But there was endless support and even though it was the worst of times in some ways it was the best. All the love that surrounded Walid I knew all would be well. Shriners contacted me when they heard about Walid's long wait and to make a long story short we are going there Oct. 31/11 to start halo traction for about three months and then surgery to fix walid's back.
269610_243767095634715_242834155728009_995923_1249784_n shriners.jpg
BC children's hospital warned me not to go to Shriner's when they heard that we were going for an initial consult Sept. 12 ... they told us they were the only ones that could operate on Walid's advanced condition and if I wanted best care for Walid I should stay with the BC children's hospital. This made me very confused and worried that I would make the wrong choice for my son. It also made me angry that after leaving my son so long, that his curve even though hard to measure was probably between 125-130 degrees, his anterior rib and sternal anatomy quite deformed and his head dramatically forward shot, the hospital was making me second guess looking at other options. Thank goodness I followed Shriners advice to at least go for an initial consult and then decide. I was so impressed by their care, compassion and their expert medical treatment without waitlists; it was easy to tell BC children's hospital that we were switching to Spokane Shriner's Hospital!!!
wow that is some curve.jpg
http://www.globaltvbc.com/video/wait...142&s=dd#video
So I have filed formal complaints with the hospital and hopefully a review board will ensure that other parents are fully informed about their options in the future so that they make their own choice about waiting or not. When I was told that a waitlist was Walid's only option that was clearly not true; I am struggling that a hospital that states their mission is excellent care for children doesn't automatically refer children to hospitals when they cannont deliver on their mission.
272747_243598015651623_242834155728009_995533_6924392_o shriners.jpg
Now my focus will be on Walid's healing journey and I look forward to sharing it with you knowing that your support will be so helpful. I have been so focused on ending the waiting that I have to shift gears, relax and focus on my son and imaging a future where he will soon be walking tall and strong. Cheers Debbie ♥♥
012.jpg
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