On May 3rd, Shannon suffered a fall down the basement steps, breaking her neck and suffering a C5 spinal cord injury. Her husband, Jim, found her and acted quickly to contact local EMS. She was transported via helicopter to St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, MN where she underwent surgery to stabilize her spine and relieve pressure on her spinal cord above and below the core injury site (C3 to T3). She spent 16 days in the ICU, followed by five weeks in the adjacent Miller Dwan Acute Care Rehab unit. She made it home in late June and is adapting to her new reality with characteristic grace and gratitude for all the loved ones and professionals that are supporting her in this difficult period.

Spinal cord injuries are unique in that the extent and permanence of the injury takes time to reveal itself, up to 18 months, with rare cases of people reporting improvements even beyond. At present, she is quadriplegic (paralyzed from the chest down). She has control of her biceps, some wrist extension, and some pincer grasp between her thumbs and forefingers. She can feed herself with the help of adapted silverware, and is very diligent with her stretching and breathing exercises guided by outpatient physical and occupational therapists. Shannon is also becoming a pro at navigating her motorized chair across their home, yard, and the used 2005 wheelchair-accessible van Jim found on Marketplace.

Shannon and Jim are accustomed to life as "doers," maintaining the log home they built from the ground up in retirement, including chopping wood for their heat and maintaining the dirt roads in their neighborhood. Thanks to their remarkable foresight in design, their home was largely ready for Shannon's new wheelchair. With the help of friends, family, and neighbors, Jim had a ramp and lift installed within a few days of mom leaving the ICU. An expanded shower that can accommodate her wheelchair was finished within a week of her getting home. Unfailingly, others have emphasized their enthusiasm for helping Shannon and Jim as a small way of returning the countless favors they have extended to their community.

Despite (alongside) the grief and trauma, Shannon’s smile and joyful spirit remain intact. She continues to recognize God’s loving presence in the generosity of family and friends, the skilled support of professionals, and in the small miracles that have followed her journey. While in the ICU, she frequently remarked, “It feels like the beginning of It’s A Wonderful Life, when all the prayer bubbles are floating up to heaven.”

Although the situation could be much worse, these adaptations, essential medical equipment, and ongoing in-home care do not come cheap. SO MANY loving friends and family have asked how they can help. So here we are, passing the basket. Funds raised will support:

Thank you in advance for whatever you can give. Please know that no amount is too small to be appreciated, and your prayers are equally valued as they continue to carry Shannon, Jim, and their families through the hardest parts of this journey.

With undying gratitude,

Katie Kruger (Shannon's Daughter)