
Shriner's Hospitals are a network of paediatric specialty medical care centres where children under the age of 18 receive highly specialized medical care free of charge. I was asked to travel with the Shriner's Child Care Coach, a specially equipped bus that regularly travels between Calgary and Spokane to transport children to the Shriner's Hospital for the medical treatment they couldn't normally get here in Calgary. Kyle Miller, a 15-year-old cerebral palsy patient, and 7-year-old Tyson Haase, who was born with a deformity in his left hand, regularly travel to Spokane in the coach which is retrofitted with everything needed to handle any medical situation. Patients have said that it is more convenient and comfortable travelling on the coach for seven or eight hours, than it is to travel by air for only two. This is Tyson and Kyle's story...
Miller steps onto the Shriner's Child Care Coach as he prepares to travel to Spokane, Washington for special medical treatment at the Shriner's Hospital. Miller has Cerebral Palsy.
Miller steps onto the Shriner's Child Care Coach as he begins his journey to Spokane, Washinton for special medical treatment at the Shriner's Hospital. Miller has Cerebral Palsy.
2006/02/08 -- SHRINERS HOSPITAL, SPOKANE -- Calgary Shriner Richard Sigurdson pilots the Shriner's Bus with his teddy bear co-pilot as he takes two children from Calgary to the Shriner's Hospital in Spokane, Washington for special medical treatment... (see Dave Breakenridge Story).
KEVIN UDAHL, Calgary Sun
Calgary Shriner Richard Sigurdson pilots the Child Care Coach with his teddy bear co-pilot.
2006/02/08 -- SHRINERS HOSPITAL, SPOKANE -- Tyson Haase, 7, enjoys the ride on the Shriner's bus as he travels to Spokane, Washinton, for special medical treatment at the Shriner's Hospital. Haase was born with a deformity on his left hand which left him with only a thumb and two fingers that were fused together. Surgeons at the Shriner's Hospital were able to separate the fused fingers giving the boy a thumb and two fingers with which he can function relatively normally.
(For feature on the Shriner's Bus which took two children from Calgary to the Shriner's Hospital in Spokane, Washington for special medical treatment)... see Dave Breakenridge story
KEVIN UDAHL, Calgary Sun
Haase, 7, listens to music as he enjoys the smooth ride on the Shriner's bus.
2006/02/08 -- SHRINERS HOSPITAL, SPOKANE -- Images shot for feature on the Shriner's bus which took two children from Calgary to the Shriner's Hospital in Spokane, Washington for medical treatment. Pictured is the bus stopped at a truck stop in Bonner's Ferry, Idaho.
KEVIN UDAHL, Calgary Sun
The Child Care Coach stops for a break at a truck stop in Bonner's Ferry, Idaho.
2006/02/08 -- SHRINERS HOSPITAL, SPOKANE -- Images shot for feature on the Shriner's bus which took two children from Calgary to the Shriner's Hospital in Spokane, Washington for medical treatment. Pictured is the Shriners Hospital in Spokane.
KEVIN UDAHL, Calgary Sun
The Child Care Coach parked outside the Shriners Hospital in Spokane, Washington.
2006/02/08 -- SHRINERS HOSPITAL, SPOKANE -- Calgary Shriner Chief Rabban Malcolm Tolton at the Shriner's Hospital for Children in Spokane, Washington.
(For feature on the Shriner's Bus which took two children from Calgary to the Shriner's Hospital in Spokane, Washington for special medical treatment)... see Dave Breakenridge story
KEVIN UDAHL, Calgary Sun
Calgary Shriner Chief Rabban Malcolm Tolton takes his friends on a tour through the Shriner's Hospital for Children in Spokane, Washington.
2006/02/08 -- SHRINERS HOSPITAL, SPOKANE -- Kyle Miller, 15, (centre) is examined by Dr. Lim (left) while Kyle's mother Cheri Miller (right) looks on, at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane, Washington. Kyle is receiving specialized care from Dr. Lim and the Shriners Hospital to help him manage the challenges of Cerebral Palsy.
(For feature on the Shriner's Bus which took two children from Calgary to the Shriner's Hospital in Spokane, Washington for special medical treatment)... see Dave Breakenridge story
KEVIN UDAHL, Calgary Sun
Miller is examined by Dr. Lim, left while Kyle's mother Cheri Miller, right listens to the doctor at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane, Washington. Kyle receives specialized care from Dr. Lim and the Shriners Hospital to help him manage the challenges of Cerebral Palsy.
2006/02/08 -- SHRINERS HOSPITAL, SPOKANE -- Kyle Miller, 15, is custom fitted with a new night brace for his left hand by Occupational Therapist Jim King at the Shriner's Hospital for Children in Spokane, Washington. Miller has Cerebral Palsy, and is receiving specialized care from the Shriners Hospital to help him live a much more normal life.
(For feature on the Shriner's Bus which took two children from Calgary to the Shriner's Hospital in Spokane, Washington for special medical treatment)... see Dave Breakenridge story
KEVIN UDAHL, Calgary Sun
Miller is custom fitted with a new night brace for his left hand by occupational therapist Jim King.
2006/02/08 -- SHRINERS HOSPITAL, SPOKANE -- Occupational Therapist at the Shriners Hospital for Children, Carol Gauper, instructs Kyle Miller, 15, on the proper exercises he must perform regularly to help him manage the challenges of Cerebral Palsy.
(For feature on the Shriner's Bus which took two children from Calgary to the Shriner's Hospital in Spokane, Washington for special medical treatment)... see Dave Breakenridge story
KEVIN UDAHL, Calgary Sun
Occupational therapist, Carol Gauper, instructs Miller on the proper exercises he must perform regularly to help him manage the challenges of Cerebral Palsy.
2006/02/08 -- SHRINERS HOSPITAL, SPOKANE -- Walter Haase sits in the waiting room area while his son Tyson Haase, 7, (backround, right) plays in the play area as they wait for his appointment with the doctor at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane, Washington. Tyson was born with a deformity on his left hand which left him with only a thumb and two fingers that were fused together. Surgeons at the Shriner's Hospital were able to separate the fused fingers giving the boy a thumb and two fingers with which he can function relatively normally. Haase was in Spokane for a followup appointment, as his surgery was performed several years ago.
(For feature on the Shriner's Bus which took two children from Calgary to the Shriner's Hospital in Spokane, Washington for special medical treatment)... see Dave Breakenridge story
KEVIN UDAHL, Calgary Sun
Walter Haase sits in the waiting room area while his son Tyson plays in the play area as they wait for his appointment with the doctor at the Shriners Hospital.
2006/02/08 -- SHRINERS HOSPITAL, SPOKANE -- Seven-year-old Tyson Haase sits in the doctors' examination room as he awaits his appointment with Dr. James at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane, Washington. Tyson was born with a deformity on his left hand which left him with only a thumb and two fingers that were fused together. Surgeons at the Shriner's Hospital were able to separate the fused fingers giving the boy a thumb and two fingers with which he can function relatively normally. Haase was in Spokane for a followup appointment, as his surgery was performed several years ago by Dr. James. Haase is pictured here, at right) gripping the forefinger of Dr. James with his left hand.
(For feature on the Shriner's Bus which took two children from Calgary to the Shriner's Hospital in Spokane, Washington for special medical treatment)... see Dave Breakenridge story
KEVIN UDAHL, Calgary Sun
Seven-year-old Tyson Haase sits in the doctors' examination room as he awaits his appointment with Dr. James at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane, Washington. Tyson was born with a deformity on his left hand which left him with only a thumb and two fingers that were fused together. Surgeons at the Shriner's Hospital were able to separate the fused fingers giving the boy a thumb and two fingers with which he can function relatively normally.
2006/02/08 -- SHRINERS HOSPITAL, SPOKANE -- Seven-year-old Tyson Haase stays close to his dad, Walter Haase, just before his appointment with Dr. James at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane, Washington. Tyson was born with a deformity on his left hand which left him with only a thumb and two fingers that were fused together. Surgeons at the Shriner's Hospital were able to separate the fused fingers giving the boy a thumb and two fingers with which he can function relatively normally. Haase was in Spokane for a followup appointment, as his surgery was performed several years ago by Dr. James.
(For feature on the Shriner's Bus which took two children from Calgary to the Shriner's Hospital in Spokane, Washington for special medical treatment)... see Dave Breakenridge story
KEVIN UDAHL, Calgary Sun
Haase stays close to his dad, Walter Haase, just before his appointment with Dr. James.
2006/02/08 -- SHRINERS HOSPITAL, SPOKANE -- Seven-year-old Tyson Haase, plays a video game in the play area as he waits for his appointment with the doctor at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane, Washington. Tyson was born with a deformity on his left hand which left him with only a thumb and two fingers that were fused together. Surgeons at the Shriner's Hospital were able to separate the fused fingers giving the boy a thumb and two fingers with which he can function relatively normally. Haase was in Spokane for a followup appointment, as his surgery was performed several years ago.
(For feature on the Shriner's Bus which took two children from Calgary to the Shriner's Hospital in Spokane, Washington for special medical treatment)... see Dave Breakenridge story
KEVIN UDAHL, Calgary Sun
Haase plays a video game in the play area as he waits for his appointment with the doctor at the Shriners Hospital.
2006/02/08 -- SHRINERS HOSPITAL, SPOKANE -- Seven-year-old Tyson Haase is examined by Dr. James (left) while Tyson's dad Walter (centre) looks on, at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane, Washington. Tyson was born with a deformity on his left hand which left him with only a thumb and two fingers that were fused together. Surgeons at the Shriner's Hospital were able to separate the fused fingers giving the boy a thumb and two fingers with which he can function relatively normally. Haase was in Spokane for a followup appointment, as his surgery was performed several years ago by Dr. James.
(For feature on the Shriner's Bus which took two children from Calgary to the Shriner's Hospital in Spokane, Washington for special medical treatment)... see Dave Breakenridge story
KEVIN UDAHL, Calgary Sun
Haase is examined by Dr. James, left, while Tyson's dad Walter looks on
2006/02/08 -- SHRINERS HOSPITAL, SPOKANE -- Seven-year-old Tyson Haase is examined by Dr. James at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane, Washington. Tyson was born with a deformity on his left hand which left him with only a thumb and two fingers that were fused together. Surgeons at the Shriner's Hospital were able to separate the fused fingers giving the boy a thumb and two fingers with which he can function relatively normally. Haase was in Spokane for a followup appointment, as his surgery was performed several years ago by Dr. James. Haase is pictured here, at right) gripping the forefinger of Dr. James with his left hand.
(For feature on the Shriner's Bus which took two children from Calgary to the Shriner's Hospital in Spokane, Washington for special medical treatment)... see Dave Breakenridge story
KEVIN UDAHL, Calgary Sun
Haase is examined by Dr. James at the Shriners Hospital.
2006/02/08 -- SHRINERS HOSPITAL, SPOKANE -- Seven-year-old Tyson Haase is measured and weighed by Cheryl Holder, a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane, Washington as he waits for his appointment with the doctor. Tyson was born with a deformity on his left hand which left him with only a thumb and two fingers that were fused together. Surgeons at the Shriner's Hospital were able to separate the fused fingers giving the boy a thumb and two fingers with which he can function relatively normally. Haase was in Spokane for a followup appointment, as his surgery was performed several years ago.
(For feature on the Shriner's Bus which took two children from Calgary to the Shriner's Hospital in Spokane, Washington for special medical treatment)... see Dave Breakenridge story
KEVIN UDAHL, Calgary Sun
Haase is measured and weighed by Cheryl Holder, a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) at the Shriners Hospital for Children.
2006/02/08 -- SHRINERS HOSPITAL, SPOKANE -- Tyson Haase, 7, stretches out in his seat on the Shriner's bus as he travels to Spokane, Washinton, for special medical treatment at the Shriner's Hospital. Haase was born with a deformity on his left hand which left him with only a thumb and two fingers that were fused together. Surgeons at the Shriner's Hospital were able to separate the fused fingers giving the boy a thumb and two fingers with which he can function relatively normally.
(For feature on the Shriner's Bus which took two children from Calgary to the Shriner's Hospital in Spokane, Washington for special medical treatment)... see Dave Breakenridge story
KEVIN UDAHL, Calgary Sun
Haase stretches out in his seat on the Shriner's bus as he travels back to Calgary.