Shriners are ready to offer orthopedic care to children from across the country.
The plan was 10 years in the making, and the new clinic is in Winnipeg.
It is a first for city, and a welcome addition for parents like Michelle Beel.
"It means another opportunity to find something that might help Brandon, make his life a little easier," she says.
Beel's eight-year-old son Brandon suffered a brain injury at birth and now has some problems with his bones and joints.
Usually children with orthopedic difficulties have to travel to Montreal to be assessed, but now kids like Brandon can receive care here in Winnipeg.
Shriners of Montreal has teamed-up with the Rehabilitation Centre for Children in Winnipeg to create the satellite clinic.
It will mean less travel, less cost, and a central location for families.
"This is an excellent addition to the services we offer here at Rehab Centre for Children. It means that children are going to be seen in the most appropriate location," says Cheryl Susinski from the Rehab Center.
The satellite clinic will provide orthopedic assessment for about a hundred children every year from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwestern Ontario and Nunavut.
Craig Houston has been a Shriner for over 35 years and the hospital chairman for 15 years and he says this project has him on cloud-nine.
"This is what it's all about for Shriner's, to help kids. That's our prime object," says Houston.
"It's just so wonderful that Shriner's do it and don't expect anything in return," says Michelle Beel.
The clinic will operate as a pilot project for the first year with a primary focus on assessment and diagnosis.
It will work closely with the Shriners Hospital in Montreal.
With a report from CTV's Shaneen Robinson
