Shannon was born with an astounding eighteen percent muscle mass.  When she was four Shannon contracted pneumonia and had three of four lopes of her lungs collapse.  She now requires a Tracheotomy and Ventilator to assist her breathing.   Shannon is the third of four children, all boys but her.  She has three nieces and a nephew who mean more to her than anything.  

Shannon loves all animals; she’s had eleven different kinds of critters, even a snake.  Her hobbies include beading, shopping, playing video games, being with family and friends, and helping her community in some way every day.  She loves writing poetry, short stories, and singing.  She loves creating art in all forms.  Acting and playing Dungeons and Dragons are Shannon’s favorite things to do.  She says that she tries to live life one day at a time always looking for the joy in every moment and finding someone to share that with.  She wants to bring joy wherever she goes.   Shannon dreams of a world where everyone can see the beauty in their life.

 Shannon was raised the same as her other siblings but she always had the fear that she could go any moment.  She had overheard her parents saying that the doctors had said there was a ninety nine point nine percent chance she would die before age seven “they were obviously wrong”. 

When Shannon was seven her parents divorced leaving her and her brothers in the care of her father.  She was lost for years during this time she did not know who she was or who she wanted to be.  Shannon’s disability was becoming more apparent each day.  As she grew, like every child, Shannon would imagine what she could be when she grew up.  When teachers would ask Shannon what she wished to be, her answers were never encouraged but were found with mocking laughter and replies of disbelief that she could think she would be able to do anything.  When Shannon was twelve she ended up in state custody and was sent to two foster homes to two hospitals, finally ending up at a nursing home specialized in Trach and Ventilator dependent patients.  In this facility Shannon was neglected and abused.  She returned home at the age of fourteen.   Shannon used this as her strength to show the world love not hate.  Her family and friends helped her see even with a disability, no not “even with”, but thanks to it, she could change the world with her hope,  joy, kindness, and love. 

Shannon graduated high school in 2002 and is now in college studying Social Work.  She wishes to get her Masters of Social Work and two Miners in Law and Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counseling.  She hopes to teach people of all ages that their dreams can come true.  Shannon knows everyone’s dreams are not out of reach and when it seems impossible is when you try harder.  Shannon is on her way to making all her dreams come true.