Bay Area man retiring from Shriners Hospital after creating about 10,000 artificial limbs for children

Longtime Shriner's prosthetist retires

Lloyd Sowers reports.

TAMPA, Fla. - A Tampa Bay area man behind the creation of an estimated 10,000 artificial limbs for children while working for Shriners Hospital is retiring after 38 years of work.

By night, Danny Griner is the drummer for the band "Skunkhammer," bringing rock and roll to local clubs. But by day, he has a different beat.

"I make orthopedic braces toe to head and artificial limbs for patients missing any extremity," said Griner.

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He was inspired years ago by a family member who lost a limb in an accident. Griner became a prosthetics technician and then went to college to become a fully qualified practitioner.

He's worked for Shriners Hospital and clinics ever since.

"You have to make it exact, so it will fit with the limb they've been left with. You must be creative on every single one of them," said Griner.

In his 38 years with Shriners, he's treated an estimated 10,000 children.

"To be able to walk, run, jump, to do whatever it is that their goal is," said Griner.

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His process begins with plaster casting. It can take eight weeks or more for the fittings and adjustments until the finished artificial limb is perfect for the patient, right down to its decorations.

"They can make this Superman, Rays, Bucs, anything," he said, holding up a colorful artificial leg. "This is a tie-dyed design," he smiled.

It's whatever makes a kid happy.

"It's the best feeling in the world," said Griner. "The parents are excited, and the kid is doing something he never did before."

When Griner retires in January, the work at Shriners will go on. There are others who do this.

Griner's retirement gig is at the back of the band on drums, but he's up front in the hearts of the thousands of kids and parents he's helped over the decades. Their appreciation is what kept him going.

"The gratitude is overwhelming from the families," said Griner, whose talented hands have moved between drumsticks and fulfilling the dreams of children who can walk thanks to his decades of work for Shriners.

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