May 2022: Wheelchair Warrior
Dear Supporters,
Do For One’s core leadership are people who focus their time, talent, and resources to realize the mission and vision of Do For One.
On April 30th, we had an all day leaders' retreat. The theme for the day was staying rooted in our foundational values of dignity, connection, and support, especially as Do For One grows outward – serving more and more people.
Do For One exists as a signpost of hope – an example of what is possible when ordinary citizens take personal responsibility for each other. That's what led us to meeting Shannon. See below the retreat photos to read her story, which is divided into two parts. You don't want to miss it!
Leaders Retreat
Core Leaders Day Retreat April 30th 2022.
From left to right: Chantel Katanakis, Mary Beth Miller, Maria Newkirk, Ben Tien, Andrew Oliver, Ali Oliver, Nick Nowalk, Valerie Listwon, Alexa Burke, Cindy Kim, Judy Lin, Jane Yoon
““Do For One upholds the belief that every human being is of unique and sacred value. Therefore we take a moral stance for the dignity of life, the dignity of individual needs and desires, and the dignity of spiritual, relational, and creative growth.””
— Andrew Oliver
Part 1: Meet Shannon
Shannon Nelson is a self described “wheelchair warrior,”
a disability advocate, and poet. Follow her on Instagram
As you know, we are a relatively small organization, which is why I'll never forget the time the U.S. Embassy reached out to us in late 2019. The Deputy Consular Chief of Bolivia emailed us to see if we could help establish community connections for a woman with quadriplegia who was planning to move back to the U.S.
This request seemed like worlds apart from what we could do. However, as it turns out, she was transferred to Coler Hospital right here on Roosevelt Island! Through Do For On's trusted network, we immediately connected her with a neighbor who assisted Shannon in getting settled, including getting her an iPhone among other necessities.
This all proved to be good timing. Little did we know that months later, COVID-19 would shut down the city, putting Coler Hospital in complete lockdown for over 1 year. Despite the lockdown, Shannon's warrior-like mentality led her to getting out of Coler and into her own apartment on the UWS.
But the story doesn't end there.
Part 2: Meet Shannon & Karen
Shannon and Karen originally connected as neighbors with a shared passion for social justice and writing. Karen had also spent some time in Bolivia!
Several months after living in her UWS apartment, Shannon got sick and was hospitalized. However, because of her extended stay in the hospital she got dropped from her home health care agency (providing 24/7 home care) and was unable to go back to her apartment.
Shannon was forced back into the system she had fought so hard to get out of. She was transferred between different nursing homes and hospitals while waiting for a new home health aide to become available amidst nation-wide staff shortages.
“Shannon is an incredible survivor who has taught me so much about continued resilience and grit in the midst of a broken care system. Through our friendship, I’ve learned what it means to continue hoping and trying, even when the system keeps telling you no.”
— Karen Mac
Karen traveled to Shannon’s nursing home to help with things that medical professionals weren’t able to do like her laundry, washing her hair, and packing when it was time to move.
In between crisis and errands, Karen and Shannon also shared moments of joy, respite, and celebration. They watched the Olympics from the hospital room together and on Shannon’s birthday, Karen visited with tiramisu cake - which just happened to be her favorite.
After a harrowing 5 months of waiting, praying, and fighting, Shannon was finally able to move back HOME with her new aide on May 4th, 2022. Shannon is thrilled to have access to “the good things in life” again, like going out for an iced latte with a friend, turning on her own TV in her own home, and visiting a local flower shop with Karen (pictured above).
“[Karen] is an amazing friend and she has helped me so much when times have been really low.”
— Shannon Nelson