Several years ago, Bette Midler made popular the song, "Wind Beneath My Wings," from the first time I heard this song, I have been reminded of my Hero, Shawn.

Shawn was one of my first foster sons. Because of my background in working with youth and people with developmental disabilities, the State asked if I would be willing to care for youth with severe handicaps.

When I read over Shawn’s file, I was amazed, for many reasons. First and foremost, I was amazed he was still alive. When Shawn was born, the doctors told his mom he had multiple medical problems, and would not live more than a few months. Yet, here he was at age nine, still alive, very much alive. Although Shawn’s medical conditions went on, page after page, he quickly became, and to this day, at thirty something, he still remains, alive and creating smiles.

Shawn was nonverbal, was diagnosed with an IQ of less than 50, had Congestive Heart Failure, etc., etc., etc. And yet, with all these limitations, Shawn lived! Oh, how he lived!!!

Over the years, Shawn had to be admitted into the hospital on many occasions. Because of the problems with his heart, he had an enlarged heart, as well as one of the valves in his heart was attached backward. This caused a lot of problems with viruses and infections. Shawn was very susceptible to brain aneurisms. He would frequently get pockets of infection inside his brain. The only way they could relieve the pressure was to burr holes into his skull to drain the infection. This was incredibly painful for Shawn, but he rarely cried out in pain. Every time we went to the hospital, there would be another chapter of the love and admiration club for Shawn.

I cannot count on one hand the number of times I was pulled aside by the doctors and advised to gather Shawn’s family around, for it was doubtful he would live the night. At first, I would sit with Shawn all night, holding his hand and praying to God to somehow find a way to spare my little buddy.

However, as Shawn would prove the doctors wrong, time after time. I eventually would just smile at the doctors and explain that they did not know Shawn the way I knew him. They would shake their heads at me, convinced I was living in denial, only to admit to me the next time they saw me that Shawn truly was amazing.

Shawn had the amazing ability of getting his heart known. You never questioned what Shawn wanted. Additionally, there was never a person who came to know him that did not fall in love with him.

Today, Shawn is in his 30s. He is still alive, and still charming the world, one person at a time. Still physically a small man (he is about 5 1 and weighs under 100 pounds), he is the biggest man I know.

I have not seen Shawn for a few years, but the heart-print of his powerful soul will stay with me forever. I am sure I am not the only one. The number of people that Shawn has touched is in the thousands. He is the truest sense of a Warrior of love and spirit.

So, here's to you Shawn.
You truly are my hero.

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