Don’t Forget to Register for the Sam Swope Memorial Charity Ride
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The Ride is only a month away! Have you registered yet? Remember, early registration is the only way to guarantee a t-shirt!
Hotel Rooms Still Available
Need a place to stay during the ride? Look no further! We have made arrangements with The Westin Lake Mary, Orlando North for the ride.
Simply CLICK HERE to book your stay!
SHC – Tampa, Patient Stories
Kaley Delker
When it comes to the water, 13-year-old Shriners Hospitals for Children – Tampa patient Kaley Delker cannot get enough of it. Talk to the teen about some of her most recent athletic undertakings, and you will find yourself chatting all things surf, sand and swim.
Kaley has come a long way since first becoming a patient of the Tampa Shriners Hospital at 5 years old. Due to amniotic ba
nd syndrome, she was born missing a right leg below the knee. Amniotic band syndrome is a condition that occurs when a fetus becomes entangled in the fibrous, string-like amniotic bands in utero during pregnancy. Treatment may include surgery, occupational or physical therapy, or the use of a custom prosthesis. Kaley’s care has been no different. She has received several prostheses from the hospital throughout her lifetime, many of which that required repairs to her active lifestyle.
“In addition to her everyday prosthetic, Kaley also has two water legs,” her mother Melissa Stump said. “We requested an additional prosthetic be made for her sense since she spends so much time in the water.”
Kaley’s first water sport interest was surfing. After attending a surf camp in the summer of 2012, she fell in love with the sport. “I got up on my board my first day,” Kaley said. She was quite proud of herself, as she should be. Being a novice surfer at the time, this was an awesome accomplishment any child trying a new sport should and would deem “brag-worthy.” She even competed in a local surf competition, the Salty Sweet Pro-Am Surf Contest, in the summer of 2014 and placed 4th overall.
After spending several summers catching the waves as a novice surfer, the teen recently transitioned to swimming. She competes on her junior high school’s team, and recently improved her swim time in both the back stroke and free style. At the end of her first season on the team, she was awarded “The Coaches Award” for exemplifying such a positive spirit and for being a motivation to others.
“She is an inspiration to all with her hard work, perseverance, and good spirit,” Melissa said. “All of which are characteristics influenced and encouraged by the staff at Shriners.”
Kaley’s family is happy with the quality care she receives at the hospital, and mother Melissa appreciates how the team at Shriners makes Kaley confident in herself.
“Everyone who works there makes children feel okay about who they are. They are cared for, just in the ways that kids need it,” Melissa said. “Prosthetics that are made, especially for her, give her the ability to live life to the fullest and reach goals that she sets. We are truly grateful.”
Kaley’s family lives in the Cocoa Beach area, just a little more than 75 miles from Daytona Beach, the city that will host Shriners International’s Imperial Session in 2017 from July 9 – 13. Imperial Session is the annual business meeting of Shriners International. Delegates from each Temple meet to discuss and vote on a variety of business matters pertaining to the fraternity and Shriners Hospitals for Children. While business meetings are closed sessions, there are many events that are open to the public that kids like Kaley are invited to be a part of. The annual Shriners Parade is held as a thank-you to the host city and its residents, and features bands, floats, motorized units, clowns and more.
Sam Swope Charity Ride
407-660-8811
http://www.samswopecharityride.org
2300 Pembrook Dr.
Orlando, FL 32810