I am a Shriners Kid!
Meet Isabella Rose
From birth, Isabella had difficulty feeding and sleeping. Her parents, Roselyne and Tim, went from doctor to doctor seeking answers, but no one could identify a cause. As she grew, her parents became convinced that something was seriously
wrong. Isabella’s speech sounded like she was whistling and she had ear and sinus infections constantly.
Searching for Answers
For five years, Roselyne and Tim sought answers for their little girl but continued to be unable to obtain even a cause or a diagnosis. Some professionals thought Isabella was cognitively impaired; others thought she was deaf. One day a family friend in the Chicago area heard about the issues Isabella was facing and suggested the family apply for treatment for Isabella at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Chicago. The family did not know at the time that their friend Dick Anderson was a member of Medinah Shriners and, at the time, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Shriners Hospital in Chicago. Anderson was glad to be of help. He has said that helping Isabella and her family find the help they needed was life-changing, and that he wished all the Shriners understood the impact they can have on the health care system’s patients and families.
At their first appointment, an interdisciplinary team of professionals assessed Isabella and, within minutes, provided a diagnosis. Isabella had a submucous cleft palate, a form of cleft palate that is not easily identifiable, as the palate is covered by a thin membrane. “It felt like the whole world came down on us; we finally knew the diagnosis,” said Roselyne. Isabella was scheduled for surgery to repair the cleft and subsequently received speech therapy for two years.
Finding Her Own Voice
Isabella now lives in Florida with her family. She has gone from struggling to be understood to becoming a gifted vocalist, and hopes to perform professionally one day. Isabella volunteers at a local veterinary hospital, pet sits and babysits. She enjoys painting, poetry and outdoor activities. She also actively seeks ways to give back to Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Sam Swope Memorial Charity Ride
Sunday, March 11th
3101 E. Semoran Blvd, Apopka, 32703
Register to Ride NOW!
Thank you for all you do to make our ride GREAT!