Meet Emily Shanahan
(above pictures by www.easterlingstudios.com)
Emily Shanahan is a 2007 Graduate of West Carrollton High School in Ohio. Emily's favorite subjects are history and spanish! Emily is currently attending classes as a senior at Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio. Emily's major is Comprehensive Communications with minors in Spanish and Bible. Emily has cerebral palsy which allows her the unique opportunity to drive a power wheelchair for daily mobility made by Permobil. She enjoys reading, spending time with friends, spending hours at Barnes and Nobles, reading her Nook, swimming, outings in her Duet bike, riding horses, and Harley Davidson motorcycles. In June of 2010, Emily had the opportunity to use her Spanish language skills during her internship at JAF , Joni And Friends International Disability Center, in Agoura Hills, California, with Joni Eareckson Tada. In August 2005, Emily participated in the National Young Leadership Conference (NYLC) in Washington D.C. In August 2006, Emily took in the next phase of the leadership series Global Youth Leadership Conference (GLYC) in both Washington D.C. and New York. In October 2005, Emily was selected as Closing Keynote Speaker for JrNYLC for 300 middle school students back in Washington D.C. Emily started modeling at the age of 3, acting at the age of 7, and co-authored a chapter in a book at age 11. Emily is currently working with Roof-Goenner Talent Agency . Emily had the privilege of meeting and praying with President Bush at the White House.
Summer of 2010 Internship at Joni And Friends
The purpose of my internship was to understand the day to day operations of a non-profit ministry aimed at serving "differently-enabled" individuals and their families. I accomplished two major goals. For Joni, I translated her daily radio programs into Spanish. For Christ, I learned practical aspects of how to continue in the ministry He has ordained for my life.
Ceiling Lift System Project at Cedarville University
We are adding ceiling lift systems to dorm rooms. Help us give deserving students a lift!
With God's leadership and Emily's Achievement Council, our family is using our 20+ years of experience with durable medical equipment to help install ceiling lift systems in Cedarville University dorm rooms where students with limited mobility need help getting out of bed, into their wheelchair, on the commode or in a shower chair. We are happy to report that we have achieved this goal for Emily's room and are already on our way to providing for a lift system for the male dorm room on campus. The Liko ceiling lift was installed in Willet Hall, on November 13, 2008 by New Visions Medical Equipment. View the photos of the installed lift in Willet Hall below.
Thank you to Dr. Carl Ruby for embracing the vision God had given our family for Emily's education experience on the campus of Cedarville University. As a University and a family we worked as a team to pioneer a supportive environment with excellence for students living with disabilities on campus. Incoming students will be able to arrive on campus in a supportive environment and have the ability to obtain a University education. To our knowledge CU is the only University to go above and beyond ADA regulations caring for the physical needs of it's students who need special accomodations like attached bathrooms with roll-in shower stalls, and ceiling lifts. Please help support them in this venture.
Thank-you to Joerns Healthcare Company for donating not just one but two high end electric fully adjustable hospital bed frames with supportive theraputic low air loss mattresses. This technology by Joerns opens the door for those who live with physical challenges needing orthopedic support to avoid pressure sores and help with regulating body temperature. The provision of these beds allows a student to live away from home while assuring a good nights rest.
It's our hope that other students with mobility challenges will be able to come to Cedarville University and use these rooms after the current studens have graduated.
Ceiling lifts not only benefit the students who are "differently-enabled", but also those who care for them. It's much easier and safer on caregivers when they have a ceiling lift system to use instead of a floor lift system. Ceiling lift systems take up ZERO floor space and save time; you KNOW how important THAT is in a dorm room.
Emily's World
Joni and Friends Television Series
Click here to add a copy of Emily's World on DVD to your video library.
In the words of Joni Eareckson Tada : Meet Emily Shanahan - intelligent, enthusiastic, and passionate about her faith in Jesus Christ. Emily lives with the physical limitations of cerebral palsy, but there is certainly no limit to what God has accomplished in her life! Enter the world of this determined, yet unselfish, university student, and see how she has enriched the world of those who know her!
Thank you, Franklin Films , for being a joy to work with and producing a high quality final feature!
Thank you to both Joni and Franklin Films for accurately capturing Emily's story with excellence.
John 9:1-3 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.
Operation Incoming Yellow Jacket
Meet Emily: A Crash Course
Cedarville University Incoming Yellow Jacket Dorm Room Project
ABC: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Audition video: Shanahan Family (aka: Meet the Shanahan's)
ABC: American Broadcasting Company
55 Meg Windows Media Video file
www.murphyfamilyproductions.com
Special Wish Trip 2004
On April 2, 2004 Emily met President Bush at the White House
View a 10 Minute Slide Show of the Trip - 225 Meg
Emily's Dream Team
Dream Team 2011 Summer and Fall Employment Opportunities:
2010-11 Dream Team Emily Shanahan.doc
Emily's Achievement Council
Inception of Emily's Achievement Council: March 3, 2007
Proverbs 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Margaret Mead said: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Mission Statement:
Our goal as a family and for the Emily Achievement Council is to meet once a year and address any changes to our "Letter of Intent" and verbally hit highlights for the next 6 months, 1 year and 5 years of Emily's life. We are not asking for money or any action to be taken, but to just become familiar with what we deal with on a daily basis in Emily's life.
Another goal would be continuity in Emily's life. Just in case something would happen to her parents, Emily's daily life would continue to move forward with excellence in our absence. Grief would not overwhelm Emily, since we had planned for a moment such as this.
Emily's quality of life will be enhanced as a result of this counsel. As parents, we can be "too close" to her life and lack sound judgment. As a council, their wisdom and insights will help Emily feel as light on her wheels as possible during major life transitions this side of Heaven.
West Carrollton School District taught us the importance of team meetings, long range planning and goal setting for Emily's bright future as a young adult pursing her education, a career and living independently.
This council exists so that Emily can continue to soar and feel as light on her wheels as possible during periods of transition and adverse times this side of Heaven.
A long term goal for the EAC is to serve as a model for other families living with long term special needs in these complicated times.
Emily turned 18 in August of 2006 and more governmental agencies have been put in place for Emily's benefit. These agencies (though important) do not address her personal needs like access to relationships (Family, Friends and Church) recreation, emotional health, personal financial planning, private transportation, education, career and spiritual needs.
God has given us the Emily Achievement Council concept as a means of something sound, big and very foundational for Emily's exciting future. Life is relationships! Communication is so vital to us all. Our hope is that as you spend time with our family, your family will be blessed beyond measure.
BONUS: A must read book recommendation by The Shanahan Family: Dangerous Surrender by Kay Warren.
Ricky (Breed: Shih-Tzu)
A Little Boy In A White Fur Coat
Ricky is the family dog and is an excellent model.
Emily is also in a Joni And Friends Minsitries Newsletter:
Emily and Dad Tubing at the 1999 Joni Eareckson Tada Family Retreat
Emily coauthored a chapter with Joni!
Read Emily's Chapter in Joni Eareckson Tada's book: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Faith
The cover, flyleafs and all the pages of chapter 4 are included.
Joni and Friends Family Retreats
Emily and Joni were interviewed
by
Chad Bresson
of the
CDR Radio Network
of
Cedarville University
while at a
Joni and Friends
Family Retreat at
Shawnee Resort
on July 5th of 2006. You can listen in to the
streaming recording
of the interview
or download the WMA file.
Pour yourself a cup of coffee, listen to the interview and
click on the pictures. ENJOY!
Psalm 34:8a Taste and See that the Lord is Good!
JrNYLC Keynote Closing Speaker
Emily wrote Let's Do It! as part of the selection process for becoming the Jr NYLC (National Young Leaders Conference) Keynote Closing Speaker.
Read her
Keynote Closing Speach
given in Washington, DC on October 5, 2005.
Emily was in two weddings!
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Brian and Molly Harriman November 2001. |
Angie and Jon Williamson June 2004. |
Emily's Lifting Systems
See Emily's new Presence power patient floor Lift from Joerns Healthcare (www.joerns.com) that she uses while traveling away from home. The patient lift folds flat for easy portablilty for transportation and makes living away from home for travel and visiting family/friends a possibility! The Presence power floor lift can serve as a backup should her in home Guldmann Ceiling Lift system experience failure. See the brochure on the floor lift.
Emily's Guldmann
(www.guldmann.com)
Ceiling Lift System was installed by Ed Homan, owner of
New Visions Medical
(www.newvisionsmedical.com)
in Coldwater, Ohio.
The last picture shows the switch on the ceiling that
selects the bathroom or living room from her bedroom.
Kids On Wheels
Emily is in the November 2004 Kids on Wheels!
El Meson
(The Inn)
El Meson is a restaurant here in West Carrollton that is excellent! Bill Castro is the proprieter and is wonderful. Check out the pictures and visit his web site (and eat at his place!) you WON'T be sorry. In fact, you will be delighted!
1800wheelchair
Emily is sitting in her new 12 inch Expedition aluminum transport chair provided by 1800wheelchair. The Transport chair folds for easy storage in the trunk of a car which affords Emily the independence to travel in a regular car with her friends.
Date Nights With Dad
In 1993 Dad started taking Emily out on dates. In 2001 Dad gave Emily a Promise Ring on her 13th birthday. Every Friday night you will find Dad and Emily out on a date. Tom decided to do this with Emily to model what a proper date would be like and to make a statement of value on their relationship. Emily knows that no matter how busy Dad is during the week, Friday night she has him all to herself.
Now that Emily is at Cedarville University , Dad picks Em up for a date on Saturday to make it to an evening church service and a nice dinner out.
Family
Friends
Excellence in Medical Care
West Carrollton School System
We are proud to be able to bring you this web site.
Emily and some friends wrote an article about Princess Diana.
Emily is also in Monte Robert's (The Horse Whisperer) Join Up Journal.
Emily is in American Girl Magazine!
Emily is in a video! The Homecoming Kids Go West!
See Emily Blobbing or on Horseback at Spring Hill Camp.
Emily was in two Dayton Mall Fashion Shows!
See some of her modeling photos.
See her modeling composites.
Contact us!
Mom: Barb Shanahan
or
Dad: Tom Shanahan
Celebrating 25 years of marriage in 2007.
Married August 21, 1982 in Granger Indiana.
Thank you and God bless you.
It's easier to do the impossible with God
than the possible without Him.
Table of Contents
Meet Emily Shanahan
Summer Internship at Joni And Friends
Ceiling Lift System Project at Cedarville University
Emily's World
Operation Incoming Yellow Jacket
ABC: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Special Wish Trip / Emily met the President!
Dream Team
Emily's Achievement Council
Ricky is the family dog and is an excellent model
Emily was in a Joni and Friends Ministries Newsletter
Emily and Dad Tubing at a Joni and Friends Family Retreat
Emily coauthored a chapter with Joni!
Emily and Joni were interviewed for Radio at a Joni Retreat!
Emily gave the Keynote address at the Jr NYLC
Emily was a bridesmaid in a friends wedding
Emily's lifting systems
Emily was in Kids on Wheels
El Meson
1800wheelchair
Date Nights with Dad
Family
Friends
Excellence in Medical Care
West Carrollton School System
Toms Digital Photos
Em and friends wrote an article about Princess Diana
Em was in a Horse Whisperers article
Em was in an American Girls article
Em was a video. The Homecoming Kids go West.
Em at Spring Hill Camps!
Em was a runway model at the Dayton Mall! Twice!
Em is a paid model for sales ad's!
See Em's modeling composites
Contact us!
Celebrating 25 years of marriage in 2007.
Sign Emily's Guestbook!
Thank You
The End
