Shannon Edgett 'Help Edge Out MS'

7 years ago our sister Shannon was diagnosed with MS.
Which has left her unable to walk for the last 5 years. 
She has been just recently contacted by the Stem Cell Institute in Panama and informed that she qualifies for their program.  We are hoping to raise enough money to help pay for the cost which is $28K.  It's not covered by insurance but all "out of pocket".  So please spread the word so we can give our beautiful sister a second chance at life!  Any amount you can donate would be muchly appreciate.  

We asked her to share her story which you can read down below. 


Shannon Williams Edgett : My Story

I have always wanted to be someone else : better job, better looking, better shape and just plain 'better' anything according to social standards. I had little appreciation for self achievements. These days my definition of success has since altered to sleeping more than three hours straight and not having to call the emt ambulance for a lift assist :)

I was born in Mississauga, Ontario and raised from the age of three in New Waterford, Cape Breton. The daughter of coal truck driver Ken Williams and stay at home Mom, Ann 'Nippy' Williams. Dad a Newfie and Mom a Caper, met in Toronto (classic).

I graduated BEC High School, attended UCCB and went on to Loyalist College, Belleville, Ontario studying Law and Security LASA majoring in Correctional Services.

In 2000, I relocated to New Brunswick working for the Department of Public Safety as a correctional officer at Black River Correctional. In 2002, I started my position for NB Power as a Nuclear Security Officer. My duties reassigned in 2007 when I became full time Supply Maintainer.

I guess I never really thought much about the pain and stress of sickness until I was included in that statistic. A week before Christmas in 2009 , I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis MS at the age of 35. For a long time I tried to make light of my illness. A lot of energy goes into pretending. Plus, can't be sick if you don't look sick right? I try my best to take much with a grain of salt because life has become a laugh or cry event. Gone are my gym chick and Harley girl passenger days. Though I do enjoy watching shows like Outlander, Americas Got Talent, Steve Harvey, Ellen and anything Kevin Hart or Will Ferrel for entertainment. Always a music lover I enjoy Celine, Pink, Beyoncé, Eminem, Pitbull, JLo, Sarah Brightman and Travis Tritt to name a few :)

Nerve pain and spasms seem inhuman at times. At work, I would go into the ladies bathroom to cry when overcome. Numbness had nothing on the pain - a finger nail scratch felt like a knife stabbing.

In the Summer of 2007, I adopted two shepherds: Atlas and Ali. It was Atlas a year later who had problems walking. A defect/injury from birth had his elbows placed on the side of his front legs instead of back. I was offered a replacement which I turned down. Atlas would be worthless to a breeder but he meant the world to me. Little did I know that kindness would be returned a few years later when MS affected my legs. Today my loyal Atlas is never far from my side :)

I never wondered how many places were accessible to mobility challenged people, until I became one. I did not notice how many wheelchair parking spots were taken by healthy individuals, until I needed that close spot. These days, I would gladly walk a mile for parking.

I have tried and have had many negative reactions (blindness, severe pain, numbness) to most MS treatment drugs. I do not think most people are aware of how little medical equipment or modification is covered for a 'working class' individual and pretty much nothing if married. I have existed the past few years with the help of my spouse, Allen.

Multiple Sclerosis Breakthrough
* No known negative side effects
* Painless Procedure
* Limited Space Available
* Commonly, significant positive results are seen in three to six months

Does health insurance cover any portion of the treatment cost?
No, the treatment is not covered by private or public health insurance.

Fetal Stem Cells are “immune privileged”. This means that you can give the cells to any patient without matching, use of immunosuppressive drugs and without rejection. Therefore they will not cause adverse reactions in the patient, such as graft-versus-host disease. Because of this special property of the cells there is no risk of rejection or adverse reaction, which can leave the body vulnerable to serious diseases and infection.

So that is where I am at right now. It is not free, of course. This illness has taken years from of my life. I did not grow up in a privileged or entitled lifestyle. I consider myself a 'work in progress' because I am not ready to give up yet. Use opportunities, not people. Nana B. always said, 'What is not worth looking for, is not worth getting!' So here I am !

May God bless you on Life's journey. I pray that most of you live life without regrets and share light through darkness. If my story helps anyone - thank you for that.

Love and Light,
Shannon
Help spread the word!


Thank you everyone for your generousity and support!!
It's appreciated so much.  We will be forever greatful.


Sincerely,

Melissa and Michelle