Meet Avery, a patient who is treated by our multidisciplinary team of experts.

Blog written by Avery's mother, Ashley. 

My son Avery was born with both spina bifida and bilateral clubfeet. He has been a patient at Scottish Rite for Children since he was younger than 2 months old. Throughout our time, we have been seen by a wide variety of departments and specialists. 

Dr. Richards helped to work wonders on Avery’s feet, with serial casting and two bilateral posterior tendon release surgeries. We are frequent visitors to the Orthotics clinic, where Avery receives ankle-foot orthoses or AFOs. Plus, Avery is followed in the ABC clinic, by Dr. Adams or Dr. Meneses. As a working parent, I very much appreciate this multidisciplinary approach. It is wonderful to be able to check several boxes each time we come for these appointments.  

Avery loves playing outside, swimming and being with his family. But he is also well-versed in ultrasounds, brain MRIs, X-rays and even blood draws. He is very comfortable coming to all his appointments — he loves to see the statues outside, visit the playground, see the mobile in the clinic-level lobby, see the fish tank and get loads of superhero stickers. His favorite staff member is Mr. Anthony. Avery loves to see him come down the hallway and hear his friendly greeting. In our four years of being a patient, we have not had one negative experience. I know that my calls will be returned, and my questions and concerns will be heard and acknowledged. 

Scottish Rite means so much to our family. Avery's diagnoses were scary and foreign — we didn't know much about them prior to his birth. We immediately felt comfortable with the different providers at Scottish Rite. They do an excellent job of explaining things in a way we can understand and never leave any questions unanswered. The financial support we have received has also been such a blessing. To know that Avery will get the care he needs, regardless of my ability to pay, is a gift. 

It is comforting to know that when Avery is at Scottish Rite, he is not seen as a unique patient.  Many other kids with similar diagnoses and prognoses have come before him. Because of the care and interventions he has received at Scottish Rite, he feels confident and independent. Our family has also been able to attend family camp at Camp TLC. It was an amazing experience, and we felt wonderful being connected with other families who also deal with the same things.  

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