Shriners Hospitals Gave Patient Strong Foundation For Life
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Health Fitness -> subcategory Disease Illness.
Shriners Hospitals: Building a Strong Foundation for Life
Summary
Judith Irving, an accomplished architect, attributes her life's achievements to a strong foundation laid by her supportive family and the assistance she received from Shriners Hospitals for Children.---
Judith Irving recognizes a solid foundation when she sees one?"after all, she holds a degree in architecture. She credits her life’s accomplishments to the unwavering support of her family and the significant role of Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Born in 1971 with diastrophic dysplasia, a rare form of dwarfism, Judith became a patient at Shriners Hospitals for Children in St. Louis before her first birthday. By age 12, she transferred to the Chicago Shriners Hospital, where doctors specialized in her condition.
"The experience was wonderful," Jude recalls. "Thanks to Shriners, I was able to walk, attend high school, and move on to university."
In high school, Jude was actively involved in music, drama, and art, even managing the track team. "Just because you can't compete doesn’t mean you can't participate," she remarked.
In 1997, Jude graduated from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, with a bachelor's degree in architecture. Around that time, she married Jason, a British Paralympic powerlifter with records in both disabled and able-bodied categories in England. The couple wed in Jude's childhood church before moving to Jason's hometown of Manchester, England, where Jude began applying her architectural expertise.
By 2000, Jude started freelancing for Buro Happold, an international engineering firm, and in May 2004, she was hired as a senior access consultant. Her enthusiasm for her work is immense, channeling her positive energy into numerous projects.
Jude has contributed to iconic projects like the Millennium Dome in London, the Museum of Liverpool, and the Kings Waterfront Arena and Auditorium. Her success led to positions on several British committees, including the Board of Trustees for the Centre of Accessible Environments and the BBC Disability Forum. Jude also lectures for the Architectural Journal and at the University of Reading on inclusive design.
Despite her success in architecture, Jude’s true passion is music. She sings and writes songs for her band, Cactus Blue, with a CD in the works. "I've been singing since I was 13; I’d give up architecture in a heartbeat for a break in music," she says.
Shriners Hospitals remain significant in Jude’s life, not only for her but also for her younger sister Angie, who received treatment for the same condition. Jude's 4-year-old son, Kristian, inherits pseudoachondroplasia like his father. Doctors at the Chicago Shriners Hospital monitor him for potential interventions, such as leg braces and possible surgery during adolescence.
Jude plans to return to the United States soon, hoping to continue her work in designing accessible environments. For now, she expresses gratitude to Shriners Hospitals: "Thank you for providing a strong foundation for my life. You will always hold a special place in my heart."
For more information about Shriners Hospitals’ network of 22 facilities that offer free medical care to children with orthopedic conditions, burns, and spinal cord injuries, visit their website at [ShrinersHQ.org](http://www.shrinershq.org) or contact Shriners International Headquarters, Public Relations Dept., 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607. Treatment is available to children under 18 without regard to race, religion, or Shriner affiliation.
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