The Shriners Hospital is marking 100 years in Montreal, with patients and staff gathering on Tuesday to celebrate the milestone.
Luca “Lazylegz” Patuelli, an ambassador for the hospital, having been a young patient there, was one of the many people in attendance.
“The team helped my parents and myself get out of the hospital quicker by making sure that my mindset was right,” he said. “They made sure that I never let go of hope.”
Patuelli is now an international break dancer with his crew, Ill-Abilities, and performed at the Invictus Games opening ceremony.
The hospital provides treatment and rehabilitation to infants, children and young adults with orthopaedic and neuromuscular problems.
Lucas Paul Gurunlian, a patient, says the Shriners staff work hard to care for his body and mind.
“They always help me with the bone juice. If I’m crying, they’ll always bring me the virtual goggles to help me calm myself,” he said.
“I had many surgeries here,” adds Natalie Cinman, who was a patient many years ago. “Lots of interventions; benefited from a lot of the innovative research.”
She and other alums are planning centennial events for the hospital.
“It was also an enriching experience for my family because they got to have that opportunity to share with other people who are like-minded and are going through the same,” said Cinman.
Mike Laceby, who sits on the Shriners Hospital’s Board of Governors, says he wants to offer hope to the next generation of patients.
“Most importantly, I think, is the experience they have really when they come here,” he said. “They know they’re in a safe place and they know they’re going to feel very good about themselves when they leave.”
Around 30,000 patients visit the hospital every year.
