KAREN SHANNON

As a wife and mother to Mike, Erin, Eric, and Shawn, I established “Mike’s Place,” a 501(c)(3) organization. This foundation is rooted in my personal experiences and aims to support individuals facing catastrophic, life-altering news. Our core philosophy at “Mike’s Place” encourages people to “ask for help” when encountering challenges, to “make every minute count,” to “live life to the fullest,” and to “share your gifts with others.”

My life has been dedicated to helping individuals achieve their goals and dreams. I’ve advocated for children with life-threatening conditions and trained aspiring business owners. My strong business background includes establishing the non-profit foundation SKIP (Sick Kids Need Involved People), which led to a Capitol Hill Fellowship. During this fellowship, I contributed to the creation of the Infants and Toddlers Educational Program and the Medicaid Model Waiver for Children. Additionally, as the owner of M-PALM (Meetings Plus A-Lot More), I have served as the Meeting Manager for America’s Small Business Development Center since 2000, where I assist new entrepreneurs.

My inspiration comes from my father, Eric Christianson, who immigrated from Sweden in the 1920s to achieve the American Dream. In the 1930s, he created Michigan’s first transportation system for individuals with disabilities, which became a national model for ensuring equal access to education. Following in his footsteps, I have continued to advocate for individuals, identifying “missing pieces” in healthcare and social systems. My personal experiences—from navigating the challenges of my infant daughter’s health to her sudden passing in 2009, my husband’s Agent Orange exposure, my son’s Stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis in 2011, and my middle son’s horrific fall in 2017—have all highlighted significant gaps in medical care and resources.

“Mike’s Place” is established in honor of my children, named after my son Mike, an Imagineer for Disney. Our foundation’s goal is to identify these “missing pieces” by connecting individuals to resources, easing their burden, and supporting their journey toward a new, more manageable normal.

Through “Mike’s Place,” we and our supporters strive to empower others to embrace the philosophy of living life to the fullest, making every minute count, and paying their gifts forward.

MIKE SHANNON

When he heard that word CANCER, he wanted that second opinion and came to California. Mike received treatment initially in Hong Kong and then in LA at USC, as he continued to travel back and forth to Hong Kong for his Disney Hong Kong on-site work and his wife Jennifer. Mike lived his life to  the fullest, making sure each moment, each day counted. His story is about teaching as well as learning from one another and always paying it forward. It is about commitment, and at the end of that journey knowing it is a “Job Well Done.

            THE TRACKS LESS TRAVELED

Mike’s Place is named after  Mike’s conference room in Glendale, CA where Mike spent  many long days in meetings…. Mike’s conference rooms at the Glendale Disney Campus continue  to grow and spark new and creative ideas. …. Mike’s Place, the foundation,  is that place of sharing, support and renewed energy through knowledge and sharing. A place of living, not just surviving.

ERIN SHANNON

It was March 18th, 2009 that Erin experiences a pulmonary embolism. She had just finished a shift at Mercy Medical Center as a Labor and Delivery RN. Erin was having difficulty breathing and the hospital ER staff wanted her to stay and be observed, but Erin shrugged it off by saying I have asthma, I know how to manage it and I am a nurse so I will be okay, However, 18 hours later she was gone at the age of 29. But her story didn’t start and end here, Erin’s story started when she was 3 months old, when her trachea collapsed and required a tracheostomy and a ventilator when she was sleeping until the age of 9 when her trachea grew and Erin learned to manage her airway. Erin’s educational experience in those early years were very unusual, having a nurse always by her side. Then she went to Middle School and said, “I can do this on my own” and that she did.  At the time of her High School graduation Erin was asked to be on the stage to share a glimpse into her life, but also,  Erin wanted to say Thank You to all those that were paramount in her survival and her accomplishments. This is her Thank You in front of her 500+ graduating classmates.   

 “TIMES BRING CHANGES” Who would have thought that 17 years ago I would be standing here in front of my classmates, my teachers, invited guest and all my special friends and family. For some of us we say, how did I get her? Do we remember our Mom or Dad putting us on that bus the 1st day and off we went to kindergarten and everything became routine after that?  But for some of us it may have been a miracle that got us her tonight.  For me, I fall into that special miracle group.  I’m not supposed to be standing in front of anyone.  You see my childhood memories aren’t like your, filled with playgrounds, parties, and sleepovers with friends.  Mine are filled with hospitals, doctors, nurses and most of all the fear of never seeing tomorrow. Over my 17 years, I have learned that we can’t make it in this life without supports.  There are educational supports for learning, emotional support to maintain a balance in our life, moral supports to know what is right and what is wrong, and for those of us who may not be able to breath or walk on our own, we need medical supports.  Tonight, I thank each one of you for being part of my miracle.  Had it not been for your commitment to allow me every opportunity and experience under your watchful eye, I would not be alive today.  I thank you and ask that you never lose sight of your importance in making a better tomorrow for all individuals with disabilities and special needs.” 

 Erin’s story does not stop here as Erin gave us a beautiful young lady Ashleigh, that is following in her Mother’s footsteps in the medical community and is becoming a Paramedic, and who knows where this journey will take Ashleigh.