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| Kevin Shipley |
Kevin Shipley is a sixteen-year old living in Cardston, Alberta. He is one out of 3,600 boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a disorder caused by a mutation in the dystrophin gene that results in muscle degeneration and eventual death. The average life expectancy for patients is 25 years of age. Kevin has also been diagnosed with osteoporosis, sleep apnea, and a language learning disorder.
In other words, he hasn't been dealt an easy hand in life. "Kevin walked up until he was 12 and has been losing muscles in his arms more and more," said his mother, Rachelle. She explained that he is fairly shy, and school-wise he is at about a grade 1-3 level. Despite this, Rachelle wanted her son to be involved during the summer.
"I wanted to get all of my children to work together and create work for themselves this summer so we created a group called the Cardston Youth Troop," she went on to say. "I was hoping that they could have their friends work together and learn about something and at the same time create and sell them." Rachelle also wanted to have Kevin and her other son Jordan, who is on the autistic spectrum, involved. She asked a friend of the family, Cody McCallister, if he would help them create a website for the youth troop. He complied, and "cardstonyouthtroop.ca" was born.
"My boys were quickly engaged in the website process and decided to create their own. With the help from Cody, they have learned about creating, advertising, and so much more. Kevin quickly picked up on so many aspects of schooling that we never thought possible. He asks about spelling, and wants to read more; to be honest we don't know how he is doing half of the things he is doing."
Kevin has a website called awesomethings.ca - shoppers can browse and purchase featured products, products that Kevin simply thinks are awesome. The various categories include Toys, Sport, Music, Jewelry, and even Apple/ Android products. There are items for girls as well as boys.
"When he started, we had to read a lot but he has quickly memorized where things are, even if he can't read them," Rachelle explained. "He knows exactly what is on his site and where to go to change them." Both Kevin and Jordan were also focusing on brochures, business cards, and graphics, but most of that was done by Jordan, who has also helped with the reading and typing for Kevin. "Jordan just turned twelve, and is very bright but struggles socially and in being focused. We have discovered that he is much quicker and is much more focused when he is working on the computer," said his mother. "They have made quite the team. They have had about 1500 hits with 940 unique visitors."
The boys signed up to be wholesalers with a few companies in China to make drop shipping possible. This ensures they do not have to have inventory. However, Rachelle mentioned that they have ordered a few products so they can certify the quality is not lacking.
The website has been beneficial in many different ways. "Cody perked Kevin's interest with geography when he had him trying to figure out what the largest cities in Canada were so that they could advertise there. So many aspects of schooling that we never thought Kevin would be interested in have bloomed in the last few weeks," said Rachelle. "We also have a couple of mini stores in place for Kevin so that he can physically see what he is doing online. He is selling chocolate bars, chips and treats at my husband's shop as well as a friend's farm shop."
Kevin has a goal in mind that this means of revenue will help him accomplish. In his church, young men are asked to go on a mission for two years; Kevin won't be able to do this in light of his physical challenges. However, his mother explained that he has a plan: "Kevin is hoping to be able to help send someone else on a mission and connect with them where they can send letters and pictures to him and he can experience it through someone else. So he wants to take some of the funds he makes from the website and the mini stores to make this possible." He is also hoping to sell some shirts they designed for the walk for Muscular Dystrophy.
Kevin will be entering high school in the fall, as well as starting with a new aide. Rachelle explained that they are hoping the school will help further his learning in the area. "To be honest we have been paving the road for others with accessibility issues in our town and have had a rough road." She went on to say that Cardston, unfortunately, does not have supports for families with children with disabilities. "We have struggled many times because of this. Even the home care here called and left a message saying they would no longer support our family because our son isn't 18."
"Sometimes people are afraid of change or of disabilities, they are unsure of inclusion or how to involve those with challenges. I have said many times, I wouldn't wish our challenges on anyone but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Our family [has] been shaped through our experiences and [has] been blessed many times because they weren't easy."
Kevin has found outlets for his strengths. He is a motivated, successful entrepreneur, who is working with his situation to achieve his goals. Kevin is living life to the best of his abilities. Isn't that what we should all be striving for? As Kevin's mother stated:
"In hard times, we find out the strength we really have.
In challenges, we find out that we can endure
In stormy days, we appreciate the sunshine."
Related links:
awesomethings.ca
cardstonyouthtroop.ca
Kevin Shiply's last days are near and it won't be much longer before he isn't with us any more. He has been a source of inspiration for a lot of people, including me, and he continues to amaze us all with his unwaivering concern for those less fortunate than himself.
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