Welcome to the WA WA Shriners Kids Smiles page which features comments and stories from our Shrine Hospital Kids and their parents.  You too can be on our web page. We want to hear from you!

We will see that your submission is included on this page at "www.wawashriners.org" and perhaps in our newsletter the “Warblings”.  We often hear “thank yous” and stories that we would like to share with the rest of our Shrine Family.  We are all so proud of the progress and accomplishments of our Shrine Kids.

Your comments and stories can include text and or images. Let’s have fun with this page.  Send us your story or comment on the hospital, trips and other fun stuff that happens.

If you have any questions about this page feel free to contact our editors email kidssmiles@wawashriners.org or call toll free at 1-866-699-9292 and we will get back to you as soon as possible.  You can also send your letters to Kids Smiles, 2065 Hamilton Street, Regina Sk  S4P 2E1 or fax to  (Kids Smiles) 1-306-569-3212.

David Rheaul – a four year old on the go!

David is a four-year-old boy with cerebral palsy affecting all four limbs. He is unable to walk by himself or perform tasks such as feeding or dressing himself.  When he was two years old, we began experimenting with different kinds of walkers that would provide him the trunk control he required to be independently mobile.  We were able to borrow a specialized walker from the rehabilitation hospital in Regina long enough for David to learn how to use it.  However, we needed a long-term solution.  These kinds of walkers are expensive – costing several thousand dollars.  We have already spent thousands of dollars on therapy and equipment and were looking at a way to find a walker at a lower cost than buying it. 

When David was three, we heard about the services the Shriners provid to kids with cerebral palsy.  Our primary interest at that time was to get a specialist to look at David to see if there were any surgical or pharmaceutical treatments we could be pursuing.  And also to ensure there were no bone alignment problems emerging.  The Shriners in Regina worked with us to get David admitted to the Shriners Hospital in Montreal.  In November 2008, David and I traveled to Montreal to visit the Shriners specialist there.  The answer was both reassuring and disappointing.  There were no magic solutions to David’s condition – no pills or surgeries that would help.  On the other hand, David had no bone alignment problems that are often associated with cerebral palsy – problems that can cause deformation and pain.  I can’t tell you how much it meant to us to have one of North America’s top experts in our son’s condition reaffirm to us that we were doing all we could.  As a bonus, the physiotherapist we saw there offered to loan us the type of walker David needs.  Because of the Shriners’ generosity, David is now able to use the walker to play and interact with other kids at his preschool.  It has made a big difference in his quality of life.  We can’t thank the Shriners enough for their generosity and support. 

"Thanks for the Walker"

I just wanted to let you know that the Shriners hospital is going to loan our son David a Pony Walker. (Three-year-old David has CP.) We are taking him in for a fitting Dec. 24 when we go to visit my husband's family in Montreal for Christmas. 

It's a real godsend for us.  Wascana Rehab Centre only has one small-sized pony walker with a long waiting list.  They were able to lend it to us for the month of November during which time David learned to use it.  It gives him independent mobility which is a big deal.  Pony Walkers aren't covered under SAIL so after November we were faced with trying to track down a used one. I found a few used ones on eBay in the States but no one wanted to arrange delivery to Canada.  Fortunately, I called the Shriners Hospital thinking that they might know of a family in the Montreal area who wanted to sell a used Pony Walker.  Their response was more than I hoped:  they loan equipment to clients and since David is a client he is eligible for a Pony Walker loan.  We are ecstatic and can hardly wait to pick it up.  Thanks again for everything you are doing for David and other kids with CP.  Merry Christmas!

Signed  P.B.