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On The Move: Unstoppable

On The Move: Unstoppable

by | Sep 26, 2022 | Hand Conditions

Article previously published in Rite Up, 2022 – Issue 2.

It is not uncommon to see Michael, of Redmond, Washington, posing like his favorite superheroes. He loves playing Minecraft™, riding his bike, swimming, wearing costumes, acting, dancing and singing. In January 2021, this highly active and vivacious young man had a life-changing surgery performed on his left forearm by pediatric orthopedic experts from our hand and limb lengthening and reconstruction teams at Scottish Rite for Children.

“I have no words to describe the blessing it has been for Michael and myself,” Berenice, Michael’s mother, says. “Scottish Rite is simply amazing.”

Michael was born premature at 23 weeks and stayed in the NICU for four months. At 3-months-old, the family realized he had a bump on his left arm and worked with Michael’s doctors to investigate the issue. Following a biopsy, it was determined that Michael had congenital pseudoarthrosis, which caused a deformity in the bones in his left forearm.There are very few teams that could successfully manage the complexities and intricacies of Michael’s treatment, but Scottish Rite for Children could. “To me Scottish Rite is a place where miracles happen, where the prayers of many parents come true,” Berenice says. “The doctors really care, and all the staff understand you and want to help in any way they can. Somehow you know your child is in the best hands, and you trust they are going to be okay.”

 

Watch Michael’s Story and learn more about Scottish Rite’s extraordinary care.

Read the enitre issue.

Therapeutic Camps Improve the Self-Esteem and Confidence of Kids with Hand Differences

Therapeutic Camps Improve the Self-Esteem and Confidence of Kids with Hand Differences

by | Jul 9, 2021 | Research & Innovation

Scottish Rite for Children is world-renowned for its patient-centered care for children with orthopedic conditions. Our Center for Excellence in Hand is committed to caring for children with hand and upper limb conditions. The center is focused on providing innovative treatment to help patients live active and independent lives. Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist Amy Lake, has recently published The impact of therapeutic camp on children with congenital hand differences in the Cogent Psychology.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of hand camp by investigating camp participation and outcomes on self-esteem, physical function, activity participation, and peer relationships. Forty patients with a congenital hand difference seen in hand clinic between the ages of 10 and 13 were eligible to attend hand camp. Following hand camp, Peer relationships, upper extremity function, and self-esteem improved immediately. Upper extremity function and self-esteem scores continued to improve significantly throughout the 6-month follow-up period. The authors of the study believe that research related to therapeutic camping experiences is integral when identifying best-practice interventions to increase the quality-of-life outcomes for children with congenital hand differences.

To date, no research has been conducted on the effects of camp participation in the pediatric congenital hand difference (anomaly) population. Another goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a therapeutic hand camp for children with a congenital hand difference. Attendees of the 2015 Tween Camp (ages 10–13 years) completed self-report assessments of self-esteem, function, participation in activities, and relationships with peers. Attendees also completed an assessment to determine if they believed camp objectives were met. This specific camp was chosen for the initial study due to the camp attendees’ ability to complete assessments independently.

Some of the key takeaways from this study are:

  • Participants reported that their upper extremity function had significantly improved from pre-camp to immediate follow-up
  • Participants expressed a significant improvement in their self-esteem from pre-camp to immediate follow-up
  • Following camp, participants indicated improved skills in peer interaction, daily physical activities, willingness to try new things and confidence in explaining their hand difference.

This suggests that following camp, a child is: more apt to participate in extracurricular activities; have higher self-esteem with regard to their hand difference; be more independent in activities of daily living; and manage negative reactions from others regarding the appearance of their hand. This supports the hypothesis of the study, that camp can indeed make a positive impact on children with congenital hand differences.

Because of the success of our hand camps, Scottish Rite for Children has helped start-up hand camps around the globe based on our Hand Camp Model including camps in Florida, Missouri, California, Italy, and England. Coming soon to Australia.

Learn more about hand research.

Scottish Rite Hospital Hosts Prestigious Hand Conference

Scottish Rite Hospital Hosts Prestigious Hand Conference

by | Oct 11, 2019 | Research & Innovation

Scottish Rite Hospital’s Charles E. Seay, Jr. Center for Excellence in Hand Disorders is committed to caring for children with hand and upper limb conditions. The center is focused on providing innovative treatment to help patients live active and independent lives. In addition, the hospital’s hand team has become the leader in training hand surgeons from across the globe.

This week, the hospital is hosting the Marybeth Ezaki/Peter Carter Visiting Professorship. Established in 2017, this two-day conference brings together pediatric upper extremity surgeons, as well as other orthopedic surgeons, to discuss the latest treatment techniques in caring for children with complex hand conditions. The visiting professorship is in honor of Marybeth Ezaki and Peter Carter, both former staff hand surgeons who provided world-renowned care and innovation during their time at the hospital.

The hospital is welcoming Steve E.R. Hovius, M.D. – a certified plastic and hand surgeon from Radboud University Medical Centre Nijmegen and at the Xpert Clinic Hand and Wrist Centre Rotterdam. He brings decades of experience, serving as the head of the department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Hand Surgery at the Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam. The meeting also includes presentations and discussions from hospital staff.

Director of the hand center and co-director for this program Scott Oishi, M.D., FACS, is proud to host such a prestigious group. “Treating pediatric hand conditions can be tricky,” says Oishi. “It requires a specialized team who is dedicated to learning and advancing their techniques. This program is unique in that it brings together hand specialists, both near and far, to discuss the care and treatment of a pediatric hand patient and collaborate on current research.”

Learn more about the hospital’s Center for Excellence in Hand Disorders.

WFAA: Born without hands, Desmond Blair turns challenges into something beautiful

WFAA: Born without hands, Desmond Blair turns challenges into something beautiful

by | Jan 9, 2019 | General News, Press Coverage

Desmond Blair, a former hand patient and current Scottish Rite Hospital employee, has spent much of his life surprising people with his artistic abilities. Despite his hand difference and people’s doubts, Desmond followed his longtime dream of being an artist. Now he produces beautiful artwork that is sought after throughout the country.

Watch WFAA’s feature on Desmond to learn more about his story.

Art Without Obstacles: Artist Desmond Blair is different, not disabled

Art Without Obstacles: Artist Desmond Blair is different, not disabled

by | Aug 29, 2018 | Hand Conditions, Press Coverage

View the original story on the CW 33 website here.

Three years ago, we told you the story about a Dallas artist born without hands who creates breathtaking pieces. His name is Desmond Blair. And a lot has changed since that very first interview.

“The cool thing about everything that’s happened since then is, I’ve had a lot of opportunities to do a lot of outreach and awareness,” Blair told NewsFix. “And really tackle the issue of what it means to be born different.”

And thus, there was a shift when it came to Blair’s inspiration.

“I thought back to a time when I was around five or six years old and I was actually ashamed of my hands,” Blair revealed. “I would hide them in my pockets. So, I got to thinking about why I did that. And all of that centered around my fear of what people’s perception of me would be. What I want to do with my work now, the first idea I’m exploring is taking people that we look at every day, and then removing their limbs.”

And from his artwork to “work-work,” Blair has had a full circle moment when it comes to his nine to five.

“I’m an IT Infrastructure Project manager for Scottish Rite Hospital,” Blair said.

And he’s currently helping with the launch of the hospital’s Frisco location. But before working there, Blair was a patient there.

“The hospital was one of the first places where I really felt comfortable, and it’s because I saw other kids like me,” Blair explained. “I see all these kids with all these different challenges. And if you think about it, at the end of the day, they don’t care about the fact that they’re missing a leg, that they have scoliosis, they don’t care about that. They just want to be a kid and do the things that kids do. And even thinking about that myself as an adult, I just wanna be an adult. I wanna go out and live the best life that I can live.”

And as many people continue to swoon over Blair’s past pieces, it’s safe to say his best work is yet to come.

“My ultimate goal is to sell my art, but I kinda want to be a philanthropist of sorts and use my artwork to encourage people, inspire people,” he said. “But really also give back and try to help people who are born with limb differences.”