Marine gives back after traumatic brain injury

Shannon Swanson never thought that after years of being protected by her older brother, Shawn, she would ever end up taking care of him. Major Shawn Swanson, now 46, was in a nearly fatal car crash in June of 2010 that initially placed him in a medically induced coma. Now, four years later, the Marine has not simply recovered, but he has been giving back to the people who helped him survive. Shawn, a highly ranked Marine and decorated Iraq War Veteran, was never expected to recover. The impact on his brain was so severe that doctors told Shannon her brother would never live alone again. Not only did Major Swanson recover, but his neurosurgeon called him a miracle. Shannon explained that the healing process for severe brain injuries can take copious amounts of time, but just years after his accident, Shawn's brain scans showed something extraordinary. "Doctors told us it looked like a minor concussion and that was it, we looked at each other in shock because we knew everything he had gone through, no one could believe how well he had recovered," said Shannon. The Swanson siblings, who have another brother and sister, had eachother through it all, but Shannon said an astounding part of Shawn's recovery process came from support through the Semper Fi fund. The Semper Fi fund, established in 2004, states that their mission is to, "provide immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to post 9/11 wounded, critically ill and injured members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, and their families, ensuring that they have the resources they need during their recovery and transition back to their communities." Swanson, who now resides (on his own) in Wilmington, N.C., has done what not many would think to do and has created a way to give back to the organization who, with his sister Shannon, were his biggest cheerleaders. This hero-turned-miracle has now channeled a hobby into a fundraising effort that is beginning to take off. Swanson began working with a lathe in the fall of 2013. This machine tool can be used by craftsmen in countless ways: Swanson used his lathe to begin a line of finely crafted pens, letter openers, wine-stoppers and the like. The pieces, all hand made by the Marine Major, come with a personal thank you from the Marine and for an extra cost can come with a beautiful, handmade wooden box. Swanson gives all profits to the Semper Fi fund. "This means everything to him, he gets up everyday for this," said Shannon. "It is all about giving back now to these marines and their families. It is his way of continuing to take care of his men." Swanson lives his life like the leader he was before his accident and the even stronger leader he became afterwards. Swanson commits every part of himself to giving back to and protecting the force that he put his life on the line for. This man lets nothing hold him back and continues to amaze his friends and family through his selfless acts dedicated to his fellow soldiers. As Shannon answered questions during the interview, she nonchalantly mentioned that Major Swanson had just finished a 10K in D.C., to which all proceeds his raised benefited the Semper Fi Fund. Shannon and Shawn have attended several events together to raise awareness, funds, and to celebrate wounded servicemen. The siblings recently traveled to New York City to attend "Stand Up for Heros", an event by the Bob Woodruff Foundation that celebrate and thank men and women like Swanson. Swanson brings his pens wherever he goes, displaying them to family, friends, other veterans, strangers and even celebrities. To inquire about or purchase a set of Major Swanson's hand-crafted items, please email swanny49@hotmail.com. Shannon Swanson was there for her brother and rooted for him while others may have doubted he would ever come back from this whirlwind. "It was my time to take care of him. You have to do what you have to do for family. They need someone there to remind them who they are, where they came from, and what they stand for. He's a Marine...leave no man behind."

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Marine gives back after traumatic brain injury

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