The Editorial Without Words

_

_

The image of a Shriner carrying the child is embodied in the Shriners Hospitals for Children Logo and is prominently featured as a graphic element.  Known as the “Editorial Without Words,” this universally recognized image of the Shriner and little girl represents the Shriners fraternity’s rich history and tradition, and honors Shriners International’s role in building and supporting Shriners Hospitals for Children as its official philanthropy. What most people don’t know is that the original photograph (right) was taken almost by accident.

The photographer, Randy Dieter, was at the Mesker Amusement Park in Evansville, Ind., for the local temple’s annual outing for children with disabilities.  Where Dieter was taking shots of the midway and was using a telephoto lens.  When he was preparing for what he thought would be a great photo opportunity (local Shriner walking by carrying a little girl in one hand and her crutches in the other)  he started to prepare for the shot,  then his  camera wouldn’t  fire so he ran past them and tried again but then  the camera jammed.  Destined not to give up, he took a quick picture as they walked by, which was the last picture on the roll.  Later upon reviewing the picture he realized what had, and the rest is history.

Bobbi Jo Wright, (a former patient at Shriners Hospitals for Children  St. Louis) was the little girl carried by the Shriner, AlHortman. Years after the photo was taken, Bobbi Jo said, “It still Seems unreal.  I have many wonderful memories of the years I was a patient at the St. Louis Shriners Hospital.  They greatly improved my ability to walk.  ” The “Editorial Without Words” image has been reproduced in various ways, including statues featured prominently outside hospital and temple buildings, as well as the former Shriners Hospitals for Children logo. The newest edition was released in 2007 as part of a new branding initiative designed to create a national awareness campaign features a forward facing Shriner carrying a child signifies the Shriners Hospitals looking towards the future and working progressively to continue to provide family centered expert care to children regardless of patients’ or their parents’ ability to pay for the care.

_