AN ELKS SUCCESS STORY

By Alexandra Sartor

Let me introduce myself, my name is Alexandra Sartor and I’m 18 years old. I’m known as the Elks Baby of Seminole Lodge 2519.
When I was barely two, (1993) and was just learning to walk, I started out on the “wrong foot”, by that I mean I was tip-toeing instead of walking on my feet. My pediatrician suggested I see an orthopedic doctor to be evaluated. This doctor suggested several surgeries to correct my foot problems. By now my mom and dad are concerned what is going to happen to their little girl.

My mom spoke of my situation to my baby sitter Mary Gillhespy. Mary said, “My husband Eugene is a member of Seminole Elks Lodge 2519. They have a program that helps children like Alex with orthopedic disabilities and rehabilitation. Let me speak with him and get the information for you.” In the meantime, my parents had contacted the Shriners’ for help, and at the same time the Gillhespy’s were trying to get us into the Elks program. We were invited to the next Elks meeting where we met Exalted Ruler Jesse Stewart (1993) and other members to notify us that they were sending our application to the hospital for acceptance. Within a short amount of time, we received a letter from the Elks Hospital in Umatilla to come for an evaluation of my left foot, to see if they had a solution other than surgery. We arrived at the hospital promptly at 7am. Through the doors we went and to my surprise was a HUGE Mickey Mouse in a wheelchair, what a welcome surprise! The Hospital staff was kind, understood our concerns and knew we were all scared. They made our visit so comfortable that we did not feel like strangers.

Mom and dad were asked to go with me to be evaluated by the doctors, then off to x-ray. We then went into a room while the doctors discussed what they thought was the best plan for me. After a short while the doctors came in and told mom and dad, “Well...this is what we have come up with.” They said that when I started walking, my left heel cord was not stretched enough for my foot to hit the floor as I walked. To resolve this, they needed to push my heel cord up into place and cast my foot. This was done and they sent me home with a pretty bow on my cast and said, “See you in six weeks, any problems call us right away.” Believe it or not, we got more accomplished with the Elks in one day than we did with our own doctors. We were in by 7am and out by 5pm heading home. At the end of six weeks, we returned and the cast was removed and x-rays were done. Things were progressing as they should. To make sure I would be steady on my feet they casted both of my feet so that one foot would not be stronger than the other, and I would walk like a normal two year old. After another six weeks, they cut both casts off and needless to say I have not skipped a beat since!

My parents were so grateful with what the Elks had done for me that my Dad became a member, went through the chairs and became Exalted Ruler in 2000. My parents both had volunteered and chaired many functions within Elkdom. Now that years have passed, I want you to know that what I have accomplished with the Elks since my trip to the hospital. I volunteered at Seminole Lodge as a young teen waiting on tables, doing set-up, food prep, clean up and helped with functions with the children. I also helped the Ladies with their functions. Thanks to the Elks I have accomplished track, soccer, softball, swimming, karate and being able to keep up with the crowd. I have also had the pleasure of being a camper at the Florida Elks Youth Camp for many years. I then went on to be a C.I.T. and most recently a Counselor on the summer of my graduation from High School, 2009, before I head off to college at the University of West Georgia. There is nothing that I cannot do or try to succeed in doing, without all the love and help from the Elks when I was younger.

I personally would like to thank the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks.