For Shauna Penner, this past April is not just about another academic year coming to an end with the flurry of final exams and papers. Rather, it is the excitement of accomplishment and achievement as Shauna graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and a minor in Psychology. Having Hereditary Multiple Exostoses (a rare bone disorder) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the road to getting her degree has not been without complications. Shauna has had seven surgeries in the span of six years, but is happy to be surgery-free in the last three years.

Shauna manages her symptoms with the help of medication and a positive outlook on life. “Aside from medication and surgeries, it is a matter of being positive, not giving up on life, and constantly reminding myself that ‘when there is a will, there is a way,’” this recent Providence University College graduate wisely states. “Having dealt with these challenges for a long time, you also develop ways to do things differently or to avoid certain activities. Counselling has also been beneficial, as dealing with these problems and other life challenges can be depressing, especially when you are tired all the time and have no energy to be an active part of society.”

Shauna’s positivity and determination led her to not give up, and motivated her to attend university. With the financial support of our Vocational Rehabilitation Program, Shauna was able to pursue her interest in Business Administration (BA). Growing up on a family farm, Shauna has long appreciated the value of hard work and learned such skills as sales, marketing, and customer service as being crucial for business success. Shauna explains she was interested in BA because it could accommodate her physical health conditions. Shauna says she was “innately good at business” and felt that this field “was one where all doors were open to me.”

Like a lot of recent graduates, Shauna is unsure what career path she will ultimately take. Having an interest in many fields such as Human Resources and Marketing, it is clear Shauna wants to help others succeed in their own business ventures. “I do not aspire to start my own business, but I can also see myself helping start-up businesses grow and develop,” Shauna says. “The one goal that I do have for my future career is that it is something that can support my medical challenges and independent living, while remaining local and something that I enjoy. I want a career, not just a job.”

Shauna’s motivation is evident in her resiliency, as she attended university for five years in order to graduate with a degree. But it is also Shauna’s positive attitude that gives Shauna her strength. Shauna says, “Without SMD, I would not be able to attend university…. I am extremely grateful that SMD covers the costs for my tuition and books each year.”

In this way, Shauna is certainly able to take SMD’s support to the bank.

Special Thanks:

This story was written by Christina Waldner [link to personal blog] who was featured on the cover of last year’s Annual Report. She recently completed a work placement coop program at our Morden office and recently graduated from Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) where she was recently featured as a guest blogger on their website. Congrats Christina on all your successes and thanks for writing this amazing story.