One Man's Triumph Against the Odds

Imagine that you are a twelve-year-old boy and your doctors just told you that you will be stuck in a wheel chair; you will simply not be able to do what the other kids do. Why? The doctor tells you that a connective tissue disorder, known as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), is the culprit. That's why you lost your voice for a year; that's why both of your arms became paralyzed; that's why you experienced heart problems; that's why your left diaphragm has been paralyzed since you were two years old; and that's why you have been in-and-out of so many hospitals.

Shannon Rose was that twelve- year-old boy. Throughout the trials of his illness, Shannon was dependent on others for his care with not much else but TV as a source of recreation. That's when Shannon developed a deep passion for the art of professional wrestling. He dreamed about meeting some of the performers and perhaps, even working with them one day.

Excerpt from The Solie Chronicles: The Life and Times of Gordon Solie:

"As time passed, the young man began to gain partial use of his arms, and he still longed to be a part of the wrestling business. Gordon Solie and Make-A-Wish Foundation made it happen. When Shannon was brought to the Sportatorium office [Tampa] to write for the wrestling souvenir program, he couldn't believe his good fortune. The next thing he knew, Gordon handed him a crisp five-dollar bill. Rose never parted with that five-dollar bill, and he never forgot Gordon, either, for that was the beginning of his association with professional wrestling."

Next, Shannon got to meet one of the biggest names in wrestling history, the legendary Hulk Hogan. He was ecstatic!

None the less, he still had a decision to make; were the doctor's right or could he beat the odds? Shannon decided to fight hard and try to overcome his disease.

Now, some twenty years later, you cannot tell that Shannon Rose suffers from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome as he walks toward you. If you see him in the ring, introducing professional wrestlers, it is not apparent that his arms still stiffen up at times making it hard for Shannon to move them.

Although Shannon is now the owner of Electronic Media Productions, a rising national PR firm, it is not obvious how much suffering he has overcome in his strife for success.

When you see Shannon Rose in his role as national spokesperson for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome CARES, perhaps you will realize that YOU, too, need to learn more about this disease. There are six different types of EDS and they are all under diagnosed. Without proper diagnosis, many EDS sufferers are injured or die prematurely.

To learn more about Shannon's triumph and EDS, please click on the link below:

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Network C.A.R.E.S. Inc.