Written by Sheila Radziewicz
At the age of 18 months, a neighbor asked my parents if he could sponsor me so I could start receiving services at Shriners Hospital. This offer changed my life and opened a world of opportunity. Shriners became my second home figuratively and literally. I had check ups twice a year, multiple surgeries, leg braces, in patient and out patient care for almost 20 years.
My memories of Shriners Hospital are many. I had most of my care at the old hospital. The brick building that started with the large open clinic room and stretched back to the school. As a child I was very curious as to what was happening and asked many questions. I remember how Dr. Kruger would stop everything and answer my questions. He always made it known to the students at clinic that a patient’s questions came first even if she was only five years old. I remember bringing pictures to him every visit and I always felt that I was his favorite. As an adult looking back I think that many thought the same as me and that was important. I was never afraid of going to the doctors and believe me I had reason to be afraid. Every visit put me one step closer to a surgery or surgery itself. It also brought me one step closer to being able to walk, and then walk without leg braces. It also brought me closer to being able to do the same things that my friends could do and that was very important to me. At a young age I decided that I could do anything and no one was going to tell me I could not. My mom saying “The impossible only takes a little longer” is how I’ve lived my life.
