Hi, my name is Michelle, and I am fundraising for my husband, Shawn Morrow (Morrows Photos). Some of you may know us, and many of you still might know his story. Shawn was recently sent to the hospital for emergency surgery on his cervical spine (neck vertebrae). While in the hospital, it was confirmed that he has an autoimmune disorder attacking his spine. He now needs to have physical therapy, genetic testing, and a medical treatment plan with an autoimmune specialist.

 

In the last week of March, Shawn was taken in for emergency surgery to repair the damage in his neck at the C5/C6 level to fuse C5 to already fused C6/C7 vertebrae. This brought Shawn's ability to contribute to the family income to a screeching halt. Due to the healing that needs to occur, Shawn cannot hold a camera or sit at a computer for at least three weeks... possibly much longer. Due to the "big panorama," he had already faced not being hired as a professor due to cutbacks in the area after our move to the Austin area for better opportunities. I have seen this man fill out more than 200+ job applications and even file for disability once his body started failing him. Being down from this surgery is just another kick in the gut for him.

 

We have known for many years that something was happening... Shawn just never had a name to put to the cause of the chronic pain he has suffered. Through the years, Shawn has served his community as a Firefighter, Volunteer Firefighter, Sherriff's Deputy, Police Officer, and most recently as a Professor of Criminal Justice and Security Studies. He has dedicated his life to helping others at every turn even on days he'd have rather stayed in bed due to the pain.

 

For months (two years), I have watched Shawn get up and look for work every day, knowing that his body was failing him but knowing that he needed to provide. He pivoted to photography to try to make something happen from nothing. Just when things were turning around for him, his legs began to fail him, and he began falling. The fact that he was not stable any longer forced us to the doctor that Tuesday afternoon. And thank God it did. One more fall could have killed him. We had no idea the severity of what was happening inside his body because, without insurance, we have barely been maintaining his chronic pain needs. My boys and I would have lost the only person that really mattered to us. He is always my unwavering cheerleader in what I do for our family.

 

I am asking for help to make sure that he can heal and become active again in doing the things he loves. If you cannot donate, we ask you to share this fundraiser and say a prayer for healing.