I’m Ed Warren, and I have been a patient at the Shriners Hospitals for Children since I was three months old. I had my first surgery when I was eleven months old. After that I never wanted to wear my prosthetics because they were uncomfortable. I’d rather crawl around then put them on. At two years old I had another surgery on my right leg and I still continued to crawl instead of wearing the prosthetics. Finally as I started getting older, I realized that it’s important to walk and I should give it a try. So eventually I started playing sports.

I was a three sport athlete by the time I was in the fourth grade. I started off by playing football and I loved every minute of it. Even with the situation I have, I worked hard every practice and performed better every game. When I got into 5^th grade that’s when I started to play baseball and basketball. 

Half way through the basketball season I ended up getting a bone infection in my right stump. It eventually caused me to have another surgery.  I had three surgeries on my right leg and one on the left. After the last surgery I came back and continued to play the three sports I was playing before. I’ve never let these setbacks prevent me from doing what I loved to do.

I played football, baseball and basketball my junior and senior year in high school and was a starter on all three teams. I performed at my best and proved to the coaches that in spite of my prosthetic legs I could compete. In July 2010 I was selected to play in the Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic as a place kicker for the west team. The night before the game there was an awards banquet held at the Ramada Inn, in Lewison Maine. I was presented the 2010 Maine Games Travis Roy Courage award. During the game on July 24 I ended up in a situation where I had to make a clutch 40 and a half yard extra point to put my team ahead by one point. The biggest moment in my life because I am a patient at the Shriners Hospital. After I made the extra point I looked to the crowd and everyone was on their feet and let me tell you it was the best feeling. Now I hold the record for the longest extra point in the history of the Lobster Bowl.

So for anyone who reads this, do one thing for yourself and never give up on any situation no matter how hard it gets because there is always someone in a tougher position than you. And just remember “nothing is impossible.”

Ed Warren

Shriners Hospitals for Children was recently recognized by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, a premiere charity rating organization.  This is a major fund-raising milestone and quite an honor for our system of 22 pediatric specialty hospitals.

“Your group has now been included in the Philanthropy 400 for 20 years, a sign that your organization is one of the most successful organizations in raising money from private sources.” 

Thank you to all our donors! Our success is based solely on your support. You’ve made it possible for Shriners Hospitals for Children to continue our mission of providing expert medical care, education and research. Together we share in the pride of this accomplishment and acknowledgement.

If you would like information on ways to support Shriners Hospitals for Children – Springfield, please contact Karen Motyka, in our Donor Relations department at 413.787.2032 or kmotyka@shrinenet.org.  

With your ongoing support Shriners Hospitals for Children can continue to change the world through caring for kids.

Just a few days shy of election day, elected officials from 14 different offices took time out of their busy schedules to attend a Legislative Breakfast hosted by the hospital. The venue provided an opportunity for the leadership staff to thank the officials for their support and to inform them of the hospital’s venture into third party reimbursement next year. 

Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno presented the hospital with a proclamation stating Friday, October 29, 2010 as Shriners Hospitals for Children Day.  State Representative Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr. presented a proclamation from the House of Representatives congratulating Shriners Hospitals for Children – Springfield on 85 years of helping children.  An official citation from the Massachusetts State Senate was presented to the hospital on behalf of Senator Gale D. Candaras.

Keynote speaker, Michael Sroczynzki, Vice President, Government Advocacy  for the Massachusetts Hospital Association addressed the state of healthcare reform and its affect on the pediatric population.