Shriner sponsors Bray
CARLY BRAY, who lost her leg after being hit by a car March 1, was sponsored in attempt to get a prosthesis at Shriners Hospital. Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum
Brown, a Shriner, e-mailed El Dorado High School Principal Matt Barnes. Brown's son attended the school, as did Bray. When Barnes informed the Bray family that Brown would be submitting an application for Bray to go to Shriners Hospital, "They were happy to get the referral," Brown said.
Shriners provides free hospital work to children under 18 years old, provided that a Shriner sponsors the patient.
He filled out sponsor paperwork the day after Bray went through surgery and handed it off to Barnes. Barnes sent it to the hospital where Bray was staying, which then sent it to Shriners.
"It's pretty much automatic after that," Brown said. He noted that Bray would have to do an interview to make sure the hospital could help her, but that was the last obstacle.
Shriners primarily deals with cases such as Bray's, where prothesis is needed, Brown said.
"As she starts to heal, they'll fit her and provide her with a prothesis for free," he said. "(Shriners) is about helping kids. So I turned in the application right away."
Although he said that it's all "in (the Shriner's) hands now," it's pretty much "guaranteed, a done deal. They don't turn away kids."
Brown was just happy to help the family out.
"If something positive comes out of this, it's that it will help reduce the strain on the family," he said. "This is what (Shriners) are about."
He said that he has been in contact with the hospital, and that Shriners had been in contact with the Brays, collecting insurance information, medical notes and records.
"It takes time," Brown said. "They are moving forward."
The three people in the Shriners office that he deals with had all spoken to the family, and things seemed to be going well.
"It will get taken care of, I'm sure," Brown added.
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