Help Support Barry County Deputy Ray Clevenger & His Wife Shawna as she fights for her life.

We are asking for support for Barry County Deputy Sheriff Ray Clevenger and his wife, Shawna, as they face an unimaginable and life-altering journey together.

One year ago, their world changed when Shawna was diagnosed with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1, a rare and progressive neuromuscular disease. Since her diagnosis, the disease has been extremely aggressive, causing Shawna to lose a significant amount of muscle and requiring her to be on oxygen full-time as the disease continues to attack her lungs, leading to a steady decline in her strength and mobility. This has left her unable to perform normal everyday task.

Nearly three weeks ago, Shawna suffered a devastating medical emergency when a blood clot traveled to her lung. She was lifelined from the Monett Emergency Department to a Cox Hospital in Springfield, where she has remained in the ICU ever since. The blood clot caused severe damage and killed part of her right lung, leaving her in critical condition. Shawna is currently on a ventilator and has been placed on a feeding tube as her body continues to fight.

Ray and Shawna’s home is over an hour away from the hospital, requiring constant travel back and forth while Ray tries to balance being at Shawna’s bedside and caring for their children at home. The emotional, physical, and financial strain of this distance has only added to the weight this family is carrying.

This year, Christmas was spent in the ICU. While families everywhere were gathered at home, Ray remained by Shawna’s bedside, and their children faced the holidays without their mom at home—a painful reminder of how suddenly life can change.

Once Shawna is stable enough to leave the ICU at the hospital, her road to recovery will still be long and uncertain. She will be transferred to Select Healthcare, an ICU-level rehabilitation facility, where she will need to stay for up to six months. There, medical teams will work to slowly wean her off the ventilator. Due to the muscle loss she has already endured, Shawna will need extensive therapy and will have to relearn how to walk, talk, and eat—basic abilities many of us take for granted.

Doctors have shared that the worst-case scenario is that Shawna may remain on a ventilator for the rest of her life. While the family continues to hold onto hope and fight for recovery, the reality is that this journey is unpredictable and incredibly challenging.

Ray has dedicated his life to serving and protecting his community as a deputy sheriff. Now, he and Shawna need help. Between prolonged ICU care, long-term rehabilitation, constant travel, and time away from work, the financial burden has become immense.

This GoFundMe has been created to help ease that burden so Ray can focus on being by Shawna’s side and supporting their children during this incredibly difficult time. Any donation—no matter the amount—will make a meaningful difference. If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser and keeping Ray, Shawna, and their family in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support.

Ray and Shawna Clevenger have been some of our best friends for over 20 years. I have started this GoFundMe account for them and all funds will be transferred to their account. Thank you for your donations!!!