Shannon’s Story

“Always Ready, Always There”

Shannon’s Story

“Always Ready, Always There”

Shannon

Prior to receiving her vaccine Shannon was serving in the Minnesota National Guard and was with her battalion in Kuwait.  Shannon was in the best shape of her life.  She was an avid runner, participated in CrossFit classes, and raised her daughter when not on a mission.  

The National Guard motto is “Always Ready, Always There”.  Shannon knew this well.  She was in logistics in the National Guard.  She always had to be prepared for any contingency.  It was drilled into her:  to be ready to fight any battle, to change a plan in a moment’s notice, to be there for her fellow guards.  

Shannon had no idea that in the summer of 2021 when she took her vaccine that she would be completely blindsided.  Her countless hours of preparation and practice could not match the persistent pain from neurological and cardiac symptoms that permeated every part of Shannon.  A vaccine injury was not on Shannon’s radar, it simply wasn’t a possibility. There is no script, no program, no plan in the  “Always Ready, Always There” motto when you are injured by a vaccine.

Shannon’s life changed in an instant.  Her legs started to tremor; she suffered from electrical feelings in her chest; she was dizzy, exhausted and everything in her ached.  Shannon said it felt like, “she had poison sand in her blood.”

Shannon could not work.  She couldn’t support her battalion, let alone take care of herself.  Leaving her team in Kuwait to come home and heal was completely devastating.  Shannon is the epitome of a team member.  She did not want to leave her comrades behind.

When Shannon’s family picked her up at the Minneapolis/St Paul airport they didn’t know what to expect.  Shannon was a shell of her former self.  Shannon’s mom, Jan, was terrified to see her strong capable daughter not able to carry her own luggage.  Jan instinctively knew it was her turn to take on the logistics of Shannon’s care.  Her intuition kicked in.  The “Mama Bear” was called to action.

Jan reached out to neighbors, friends and family to help Shannon.  It was time to create Shannon’s battalion.  Shannon’s aunt, Cher, created a treatment calendar and took notes about Shannon day in and day out.  Everything was recorded:  food, vitamins, treatments, massages and doctors appointments.  No stone was left unturned.  Cher gave Shannon essential oil massages.  Kim, a family friend, performed Energy Healing therapies.  They tried Acupuncture, Craniosacral therapy, Ozone, Green & Red Light laser therapy, Chiropractic, IRT(inflammation reflexology technology), detoxes, reflexology treatments and more.  Shannon had numerous appointments with Neurologists, Immunologists, Cardiologists and Rheumatologists.

Shannon’s Treatment Calendar

Notes detailing Shannon’s health struggles

Shannon was diagnosed with POTS, Central Sensitization Syndrome, Benign Fasciculation Syndrome and Chronic Fatigue.  Jan felt like she was, “watching Shannon disappear before her eyes.”

Shannon laying with her daughter

8 months into Shannon’s injury her pharmacist referred her to an Integrative Therapy practice in Bloomington, MN.  

This referral was a divine intervention, a blessing.  This same clinic had been treating Suzanna (our first Team Humanity story). 

 

Suzanna started Team Humanity. As we mentioned in our 3rd post we have noticed a trend when we mention Suzanna.  She is connected to 1000’s of fellow injured Americans.  Suzanna has created a community of people who are looking out for each other, listening to each other, caring for each other in spite of their injuries.  Suzanna knows first hand how having a community, a common bond can create hope and hope is what Shannon needed.

Shannon and Suzanna started talking on the phone, sharing their stories, listening to their struggles, and offering each other support.  Shannon shared with Team Humanity that Suzanna’s friendship “talked her off the ledge.”  

This is why we are self-publishing our stories.  Many of our injured friends feel desperately alone.  This is not acceptable.  They need to know that they are seen, heard and loved.  

Shannon with Team Humanity members Suzanna, Kristie, Gena, Kate and fellow Minnesotans.

As of now Shannon says she has 50% of her strength and life back.  She still struggles with debilitating fatigue, neurological symptoms, and constant pain.

Shannon is serving with the MN National Guard while waiting to receive her discharge papers. She is attending college at the American Military University and is specializing in logistics and transportation.  Clearly there is a genetic link.  Shannon’s mom, Jan, and Aunt Cher showed up for Shannon when she was at her worst; and they continue to find new avenues and make new connections that help Shannon heal.

Jan, Shannon and Aunt Cher

Shannon hopes to start a new treatment this year.  Her goal is to be 100% recovered; we believe she can get there.

“Courage doesn’t always roar, sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow”.  This is Shannon and her “stateside battalion”.

We are honored to know Shannon and share her story. Shannon exemplifies courage and camaraderie.  Team Humanity is honored to have her on our team.

All stories are edited and approved by the participant before the story is published.