Chelsea's Challenge


Life can change in a nanosecond. One minute you are enjoying fireworks with your family, in the next minute tragedy strikes.

On July 4, 2019, Chelsea Shinpaugh was shooting off fireworks with her father and other family members near Waco, TX like a normal teenager would do on our nation’s birthday. Afterwards, Chelsea was riding an ATV when she hit a bump in the road that has forever changed her life. Chelsea lost control of the ATV causing her to flip over. Chelsea cut her leg to within a centimeter of the femoral artery. Rushed to the nearest hospital, Chelsea is stitched up and sent home to recover and heal.

But this is not the happy ending that we were all expecting. The next night, Chelsea is rushed back to the hospital saying that she cannot feel her calf and foot and in excruciating pain. Infection had set in quickly from her hip to her calf. Emergency surgery was performed early Saturday morning. Doctors had to remove a lot of dead tissue and they discovered her hamstring had been cut in two, leaving nerves and bone exposed. The doctors advised the wound would need to be left open to heal requiring an extensive hospital stay and multiple surgeries to repair the damage. The next plan of action was to get Chelsea comfortable enough to be transported to Cooks Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth closer to her home and better equipped to handle her case.

Chelsea was transported to Fort Worth on Monday and underwent her second surgery to clean the wound again and reassess her situation. Again, her family receives a life changing diagnosis. Chelsea will require months of hospitalization and multiple surgeries. There is a long road ahead and no way to know the outcome on her leg.

Chelsea is very athletic. She has played multiple sports throughout junior high school and into her freshman year at Saginaw High School. Her freshman year saw her playing volleyball and she found her niche on the wrestling team. She won 1st place in district competition and competed in regionals. Chelsea has a strong spirit and can accomplish whatever she sets her mind on. She can overcome this life altering event.

Chelsea’s mom, Dawn Maus, is a single mom of three beautiful children, Chassidy, Chelsea, and Keith. This chain of events has forever changed their lives as well. Chelsea’s situation will require Dawn to take an extended emergency leave from work for several months of hospitalization, to care for Chelsea and help her heal and recover. That means income will be cut and may end altogether. Dawn has always put others needs before her own. She is usually the one seeking help for friends and families in need. Now it is our turn to repay her kindness. Please put yourself in Dawn’s place. What would you do if this was your child? How would others support you?

Dawn needs to concentrate her efforts on helping Chelsea deal with the pain and anguish of healing her body, mind, and soul. She doesn’t need to worry that bills will not be paid, and her family will be without basic necessities. Let’s help ease her financial burden by donating whatever you can as often as you can. Any donation is greatly appreciated. Please include messages to let them know you are thinking of them and praying for complete healing.

God’s got this! He has a plan and it is not for us to question, but for us to Believe and keep the Faith that all will work out in His plan, in His time, for His Glory!


Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12