Shriners hosts screening clinic for local children
Christine Stopka’s son Luke is a happy, active, toddler, and like most children who are about to turn 2, he doesn’t sit still for long.But as a mother, Stopka does have some concerns.
Shriners Tony Archuletta and Ron Crawford hand out balloons and information to Christine Stopka and her children Luke, 2, and Sonia, 4, Carie Canterbury/Daily Record
Early Detection
She brought Luke in to the Al Kaly Shriners free screening clinic on Saturday to see if he is eligible to have a Shriner doctor take a look at Luke’s feet that turn in.
Stopka has taken her son to a pediatrician and an orthopedist, but thought it would be a good idea to get another opinion.
“So, I waited a few months, and I thought it looked like it was getting worse because every time he would run, it seemed like the foot would go in and he was tripping,” she said.
Stopka heard about the clinic through Rocky Mountain Children’s Discovery Preschool and brought Luke in on Saturday.
Shriner Tony Archuletta, hospital representative for Fremont County, filled out the necessary paperwork and required information that will be sent to a Shriners Telemedicine Clinic.
“Sometimes they’ll diagnose the child through a telemedicine in Colorado Springs or Alamosa in conjunction with the Salt Lake hospital,” he said. “Then, the doctors in Salt Lake actually are viewing the child and diagnosing the child through the telemedicine - the filming and the camera.”
Stopka is fairly familiar with what the Shriners offer.
“They’re amazing because I remember my cousin in Florida went to a Shriner’s hospital in Florida and they treated his legs,” she said. “It was amazing what they did for him.”
Archuletta said once doctors review Luke’s information, they will contact his mother and possibly set up an appointment to be seen.
The Shriners provide treatment for children ages birth through 18 years, and sometimes beyond.
Because of the HIPPA law, Archuletta said he does not know what happens to the children once he sends in the paperwork to the clinics, but sometimes the families and children choose to stay in touch by sending cards and photos. He loves to see the progress the children have made.
Some of the Shriners’ specialties include treating cerebral palsy, club foot, gait abnormalities, burns and more.
Shriners provide treatment based on need, and do not discriminate based on race, religion or financial condition.
The Shriners do accept insurance, but anything that is not covered is picked up by the Shriners.
The Shriners host the local screening clinic about once a year in the spring or fall. They also will have an information table set up outside the First United Methodist Church during the blossom Parade on May 7.
For more information on the Shriners services for children, call 544-0658, or visit shriners.org.
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