Former Patient Now A Nurse At Shriners Philadelphia Hospital (NAPSA)—Most people know that Shriners Hospitals for Children is a unique hospital system. Not only because they provide the very best orthopaedic and burn care at no charge to patients or their families, but also because of the people who work at these pediatric hospitals. Take Ted Janeczko, R.N., for example. Heis an individual who makes Shriners Hospitals a one- of-a-kind place to work. Heis one of the newest members of the Philadelphia Shriners Hospital’s nursing staff and chose Shriners because of a desire to give back to the hospital system that helped to save his life in 1987. Soon after coming to this country with his family from Poland, 8-year-old Ted was wandering along the railroad tracks with a friend near his home in South Amboy, N.J. In an unfortunate incident, Ted touched a live wire that severely electrocuted him, leaving him with burns over 75 percent of his body. Doctors gave him just a small chance for survival. For more than two weeks, Ted’s life hung by a thread as he lay in a coma. He had to spend more than eight monthsin an intensive care setting. In the meantime, his family and friends rallied around him. They held a blood drive and a number of fund-raising events to help with Ted’s escalating medical costs. During this time, a Shriner approached Ted’s brother and Ted was transferred to the Shriners Hospital in Boston. Over the next 16 years, Ted had more than 200 surgeries. That’s equivalent to almost one surgery a month over that period of time. But 9 Ted is proud of | never missing { school or falling behind while in the hospital. Though his a. family and friends P9geeam were very support- | ive throughouthis ordeal, he said it . See 5 SN oe washis father who Ted Janeczko,R. N., one really encouraged of the Philadelphia Shriners Hospital nursing him to push on and staff, is giving back to the hospital system that work harder. As Ted savedhis life. explained, “If it didn't kill me, it made mestronger.” “Kids have so much resilience,” When Ted finally became an Ted says. And that is something outpatient and needed to return to he also has—an inner strength the hospital for follow-up treat- that has forced him to look forment, he would hop on plane, fly ward rather than backward. to Boston for a clinic visit and fly If all patients would follow his home the same day. So, at 20, he lead, they would be better off decided to move to Boston because because of it. As he says, “Try not of the numberof surgeries hestill to focus on the things you’ve lost; required. be thankful for what you have and Shortly after getting married thingswill look better.” nine years ago, Ted decided to For more information on Shriners’ attend nursing school. His experi- network of 22 hospitals that provide ence as a patient and his previous medical care and services totally work as a paramedic helped to free of charge to children with finalize his desire to become a orthopaedic problems, burns and nurse. Upon earning his nursing spinal cord injuries, write to: degree, he applied to several hos- Shriners International Headpitals, including the Philadelphia quarters, Public Relations Dept., Shriners Hospital. After spending 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL several years at another hospital, 33607, or visit the Web site at the opportunity to join Shriners www.shrinershq.org. Treatmentis beckoned. provided to children underage 18 So here he is today, working in without regard to race, religion or an environment as a caregiver—a relationship to a Shriner. If you know a child Shriners far ery from the days he spent in the burn hospital as a patient. As can help, call 1-800-237-5055 in a nurse, he has a close working the United States or 1-800-361relationship with the patients. 7256 in Canada.
