Introducing Our 2020 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open Standard Bearer Representative, Danielle

Danielle, a high school junior in Tampa, Florida, has a goal of being a Paralympian. Born in China, she developed a life-threatening hand infection, which lead to a below-elbow amputation when she was 3 weeks old. At 15 months, Danielle was matched with her new mother, JoAnne, and they traveled to New Jersey to live with her grandparents and two golden retrievers. Danielle began treatment at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Philadelphia, where she received an arm prosthesis.

An invite to a sports clinic sponsored by Shriners Healthcare for Children — Florida and Paralympic Sport Tampa Bay, a program dedicated to adaptive sports and recreation, put Danielle’s passion into motion. Once introduced to adaptive track and field and swimming, she has not looked back.

Danielle’s care from Shriners Hospitals for Children, along with adaptive sports programs, has shaped her life. She competes locally and nationally at the National Junior Disability Games, and holds national records in all throwing events for her age group. Danielle competes with able-bodied athletes as a member of her high school track team. She will represent the United States at the upcoming International Wheelchair and Sports (IWAS) World Games in Thailand.

Shriners Hospitals for Children professionals provide her with sport-specific prostheses to wear for throwing discus and javelin, and for weightlifting. Danielle also plays guitar and enjoys playing golf.

Danielle was chosen as one of 22 Patient Ambassadors throughout the country to represent the health care system at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, where she will serve as a standard bearer throughout the weekend, carrying the scores of professional golfers as they compete. It is a rare "inside the ropes" opportunity at a PGA TOUR event, as well as the chance to share how Shriners Hospitals for Children has helped transform her life.

Help Fundraise FORE Love and support Danielle’s participation in the 2020 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open PGA TOUR event in Las Vegas!

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