Medical help from Shriners helps Kalispell toddler smile
Scott Doran, 2, has a beautiful smile thanks to the Shriners Hospital in Portland and Flathead Valley Shriners.
According to his mother, Nicole Simon, no one notices the tiny scar on Scott's lip. But before his surgery, it was impossible not to notice part of his lip was turned under.
The youngster was born with a cleft lip and palate.
While theories abound, medical science has yet to determine why the tissues of the upper lip and palate fail to join, leaving gaps which interfere with speech and may cause problems eating.
After giving birth at Kalispell Regional Medical, Simon and the baby's father met with specialists in Kalispell and Missoula who explained the complicated and costly surgeries.
Through a family friend, they learned about the Shriners program that helps children like Scott for free. Local club members got the family an application for the Shriners Hospital for Children in Portland, Oregon.
"That's the closest hospital where they can do a cleft lip and palate," Simon explained.
By the time Scott was seven months old, arrangements were complete for his first surgery to close the gap in his lip.
Five months later, surgeons finished the transformation with a second surgery to close his palate and insert tubes in his ears to help prevent infections.
Simon admits she was a nervous wreck, watching her baby rolled away on the hospital gurney both times. But both procedures went off without a hitch except for Scott ripping out his intravenous tube once.
"They did an awesome job," Simon said with a smile at Scott.
For the next month, the toddler lived with his arms in restraints to protect his new nostril and mouth surgery. Simon admitted she cheated a little and let him out a few times when she could watch him closely.
The happy little boy has forgotten the trauma of his swollen face and restrained arms. But Simon hasn't forgotten the miracle of having Scott treated free by the Shriners.
"I know it cost hundreds of thousands of dollars," she said.
Simon, who works at Applebee's, said the local Shrine Club provided the money for a rental car, food and other expenses for the family for its Portland trips.
She spoke with the Inter Lake to encourage the public to support the Shrine Club Circus which arrives in town Tuesday.
"They helped Scotty out so much," Simon said.
According to Shrine President Hector Arbour, the annual circus replenishes the Flathead club's transportation fund for patients.
"Last year was the best attendance we ever had," Arbour said.
Arbour hopes for another record crowd on Tuesday. The circus again features Spiderman as well as elephants, camels, jugglers, clowns and daredevils on motorcycles.
The Las Vegas -based Jordan Circus will perform at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. Tickets, priced at $4 for children, $9 for adults and $5 for senior citizens, are available on site and at local grocery stores.
"This is our major fund-raiser," Arbour said. "It either makes us or breaks us."
With community support, the Flathead Shrine Club will continue to help Scott, who will need to travel for more surgeries as well as dental help as he matures and his body grows.
"Once he's a patient, the Shrine Hospital continues to monitor him until everything possible has been done," Arbour said.
With his palate and lip repaired, Scott has just begun to talk. He learned to say "mama" and "papa" but the most memorable new phrase popped out just a few days ago.
"He said 'Love you,'" Simon said.
Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.