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Combat Veteran Deserves to Live Up to His Miracle

Wheelwright is a West Point Graduate and medically retired U.S. Army Infantry Captain born and raised in Pinetop, AZ.  After multiple combat deployments, Shaun was soon after medically retired with an honorable discharge.  During the last five years, his severe service-related symptoms of PTS, suicidal ideation, severe depression, and debilitating anxiety became a daily battle.  

He nearly lost this battle when he was pronounced dead, twice, in the hospital in September of 2019.  His family and two children were told to say their goodbyes.  Neither the medical staff, his two young sons, nor his support system expected him to survive.  By the Grace of God, after 30 days in a coma on life support, Shaun woke up. 

What followed was a nine-month long journey of recovery.  Shaun had to re-learn how to walk, speak, write, feed, bathe, and clothe himself.  He spent nearly 9 months in an assisted living facility attending physical, occupational, and speech therapy for hours every day. 

God’s miracles continued!  Initially he was told that he was going to be put on the liver transplant list and that his long-term survival, or even likelihood of receiving a liver was grim.  He was told that even with a new liver he had a shortened life expectancy.   Without a new liver he was told to expect to live no longer than year.  Again, God blessed Shaun...His current Liver Physician is baffled by his recovery, and he no longer qualifies for a liver transplant.  After being told he would likely live as a diabetic, he beat that too!  Every month of testing brings more astounding and life affirming improvements.  

Miraculously, he is now able to live on his own to continue his recovery.  Shaun now wants to give back!  He is dedicated to helping other Veterans by volunteering with Operation Shockwave.  He realizes the importance of giving a hand up to his fellow soldiers, and wants to use his recovery as an inspiration to other soldiers who may think there is not hope left.

But Shaun needs your help!  During the coma and subsequent hospitalization, he was evicted, lost all his furniture, his storage was auctioned off, and all of his belongings are gone.  Shaun lost priceless military memorabilia, photos, family heirlooms, and all of his children’s belongings that were in his possession.  At the time, this was a small detail – everyone around him was so focused on him staying alive, but now that Shaun is striving to live up to the miracle of his survival, doors are being closed on him every day while he is seeking housing and securing his vehicle.

Then the unthinkable happened to Shaun,  who is desperate for just one break. He found a guest house near his children’s home and the VA hospital that was willing to overlook his eviction!  Unfortunately, he became the victim of an online housing scam when answered the ad on Craigslist in Phoenix.  He was instructed to send thousands of dollars (which was the last of his savings) via Zelle to secure his housing and never heard from the ‘landlord’ again.  Praying on the "weak" during the pandemic increases the likelihood of such a scam, because everything is moving to virtual.

We are asking for help to house Shaun and provide him with safe and stable furnished housing.  Some of the money will go towards registering his car as it was treated as an abandoned vehicle when he was in the coma.  This on top of all of his medical bills has made it insurmountable to be able to recover on his own.

He needs all of this to rebuild a relationship with his two sons, feel safe, and continue working on his recovery. He is still spending around 10-15 hours a week in various therapies and his lack of stable housing is making it nearly impossible to see his children or focus on his recovery.

We are asking for $5,000 so Shaun can put down a larger security deposit, secure his car, furnish, and provide a welcoming and safe space for his children. 

In addition to the debt during his hospitalization, his actually medical bills and non-payments, it makes for a full financial recovery, simingly impossible. 

We again, appreciate your consideration to help Shaun. Thank you!
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Donations 

  • Margaret Emerson
    • $25 
    • 3 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $50 
    • 3 yrs
  • Jacqueline Stilwell
    • $100 
    • 3 yrs
  • Oran Cookemboo
    • $25 
    • 3 yrs
  • James Hammond
    • $25 
    • 3 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Christine Payseno
Organizer
Chandler, AZ
SHAUN WHEELWRIGHT
Beneficiary

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