They are down to one appointment a year. For eight years, Lora Hooper has had to overcome her birth defects but like every other energetic kid her age, she looks forward to school each day.
What’s different about Lora is she has a favorite x-ray technician and spent a good portion of her life at the Shriners Hospital in St. Louis. She has a total of 21 scars, reminders of numerous surgeries to repair the birth defects and improve her quality of life.
It’s been a long road for Lora and her mom Tracey.
It was during a routine ultrasound that Tracey found out her daughter did not have a leg. The first night in the hospital, Lora was hooked up to a ventilator, had kidney problems and was diagnosed with scoliosis.
There were many physical problems to get through but Tracey said she turned to the Shriners Hospital. Despite several serious surgeries, Lora bounced back each time and almost never seemed to slow down, Tracey said.
“There are a few limits to what she can do, but she tries. If I tell her she can’t do it, it’s not an option,” Tracey said. “I know I am partial, but everybody who meets her says she has the most positive attitude. She has such a good outlook.”
As much as possible, Tracey says Lora gets through the day like any other kid.
“She does question ‘Why am I not normal.’” I tell her ‘Why do you want to be normal? This makes you different.”
The Shriners
WHO THEY ARE: The Lake Of The Ozarks Shrine Club was first chartered in 1959 to serve needy children in a more efficient manner. All Shriners are 3rd Degree
Master Masons, and many lake area Shriners have come from local Masonic Lodges in Camdenton, Eugene, Iberia and other parts of the area.
WHO THEY HELP: Shriners Hospitals For Children. The hospitals serve children from one year of age to youth up to age 21. Every child who comes to the local club is eligible for consideration. Once a child's eligibility is confirmed, all medical expenses until the child reaches age 21, and related family expenses, such as travel, lodging, and food incurred during hospital visits is paid for. Our Missouri Shrine Hospital is in St. Louis provides orthopaedic care. We also refer children to either Cincinnati or Galveston for burn treatment.
HOW MANY: Since 1959, the Lake of the Ozarks Shrine Club has served 877 area children.
WHY: Our goal is to serve needy lake area children who suffer from major orthopaedic injury or disease, or who have serious burn injuries. Strive to inform local communities of our charity so that every lake area child in need of our hospital care has a chance to be healed and live a normal, healthy life.
CONTACT: For more information on the Lake of the Ozarks Shrine Club, contact the local hospital program chair at 365-3401. For additional club information, contact the local public relations chair at 216-3050.
charis.patires@lakesunonline.com
