Wrap-Around Care: Family Matters in Treatment at Shriners Children's

This is part three of a three-part series about the specialized wrap-around care provided to all patients at Shriners Children's. To read part one, click here; to read part two, click here.

A crucial aspect of the wrap-around care at Shriners Children's is including a patient's family in their healing, said Krystal Vermillion, MOT, OTR/L, a staff therapist at Shriners Children's Greenville. "Families provide key information regarding the child's likes, dislikes, typical emotional and behavioral patterns, daily routines, and cultural perspectives. It also allows for families to feel empowered and more confident in their ability to help their child through the process."

Helene Freni-Rogers,recreational therapy manager at Shriners Children's Hawai'i, pointed out that involving family members ultimately helps the family unit heal together from the traumatic event.

That's why, when May Day, also known as Lei Day, rolled around on May 1 at Shriners Children's Hawai'i, Fausaga's mother joined other patients and their families in celebrating the annual event. Thanks to his positivity and leadership among his peers, Fausaga received the ultimate honor: He was crowned May Day King 2024.

Despite his knee injury, the teen expressed his joy by performing a traditional Samoan dance. Not to be outdone, Fausaga's mother got up and danced right alongside the May Day King, grinning as her son celebrated a special kind of win - one that he had never achieved on the football field.

Just like a player is part of a greater athletic lineup, Fausaga was a crucial member of a larger caregiving team with one goal in mind: to help him heal body and soul, from the inside out.

He returned home to his family in Samoa a month later.