Ariana Will Represent Our Hospital at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas

MONTRÉAL–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ariana Ianniciello, 14 years old, a patient at Shriners Hospitals for
Children ─ Canada will have the experience of a lifetime when she
represents our hospital at the Shriners
Hospitals for Children Open, an official PGA Tour event in Las Vegas
Nov 3-4.

Ariana was chosen as one of 22 patient ambassadors throughout North
America to represent the hospital network at the tournament, where she
will serve as a standard-bearer on the weekend, carrying the scores of a
group of professional golfers as they compete in the tournament. It is a
rare “inside the ropes” opportunity at PGA TOUR event, as well as the
chance to share how Shriners Hospitals have helped transform her life.

“I am really excited to have the chance to represent my Canadian
hospital at this great event and with an opportunity to meet patients
from other Shriners Hospitals throughout the continent ” Ariana said.

As part of her participation in the tournament, Ariana’s story and photo
will appear in the tournament program. Her information will be shared
with the Golf Channel, which will televise the tournament, and be used
during the broadcast. The broadcast reaches over 700 million homes
across 240 countries worldwide.

Ariana was diagnosed with hypotonia benign syndrome when she was 12
months old. In simpler terms, she had low muscle tone, which made
feeding and many everyday activities difficult. Her condition involves
all the muscles in her body. Not able to crawl, stand or walk like her
twin brother Paolo, Ariana underwent intensive physiotherapy,
occupational therapy and aqua therapy until she was able to walk when 30
months old. Therapists said there was nothing else to do. However,
Ariana fell and hit herself frequently. Her right side was weaker and
her right knee and shoulder would spontaneously dislocate for no reason.
She was in constant pain.

Her family doctor referred Ariana to Shriners Hospitals for Children —
Canada, saying it was the best place to help her. When the family met
Odette Perron, M.D., they found their angel. Dr. Perron noted Ariana’s
flat and hyper-flexible feet, which accentuated her dislocation
problems. She prescribed orthoses for Ariana’s shoes, which have helped
to reduce Ariana’s pain and the number of times she dislocates her knee.
For her shoulder, she prescribed more physiotherapy. Last year, Ariana
was also diagnosed with scoliosis, or curvature of the spine, which is
commonly related to hypotonia. To correct this, Ariana now wears a night
brace. “She is very determined. Her condition has made her strong and
considerate,” shares her mother Marlena.

Ariana has always loved to sing. Her mom, Marlena, remembers catching
her humming to herself in her crib, even before she learned how to
speak. Ariana started singing in public in fifth grade when she
auditioned and secured the lead solo performance at a school concert.
That same year, she joined a glee club at her church community center
and began singing in competitions. Since then, she has performed in
front of an audience more than 30 times. She is always proud to perform
at Shriners Hospitals for Children events.

About Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada

Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada is the only Canadian
establishment within the Shriners hospitals for Children network. This
bilingual, short-term, acute care hospital provides ultra-specialized
orthopaedic care to children from coast to coast in Canada, the U.S. and
around the world. The mission of the hospital is to promote health and
provide treatment and rehabilitation to infants, children and young
adults with orthopaedic and neuromuscular problems such as scoliosis,
osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), club feet, hip
dysplasia, leg length discrepancies and cerebral palsy. The hospital is
committed to excellence and innovation in clinical practice, research
and education and to ensuring patients and their families are treated in
a caring, family-friendly environment. Affiliated with McGill
University, the hospital provides clinical experience and teaching for
residents and allied professionals.

Contacts

Shriners Hospitals for Children
Emmanuelle Rondeau,
514-207-1057
Director of Communications, Marketing
erondeau@shrinenet.org
or
Laure
Moureaux, 514-207-2267
Information Officer
lmoureaux@shrinenet.org