Shelby was born 11 weeks premature on April 4,1994. Raised by a single mother Sherry, Shelby and her sisters grew up seeing their mother’s trials and tribulations of always putting her children first. Shelby had the will to accomplish goals she set forth for herself. Successfully, she graduated high school early all while working full time as a Shift Supervisor.
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Having no idea life would never be the same, Shelby found out she was in fact pregnant with a little girl she would name Alexia Paige. Over the moon with excitement, she went on to pick out bows and cute outfits for her baby girl. What Shelby didn't foresee is that she would soon discover her daughter was going to be diagnosed with the severest from of Spina Bifida. Shelby went on to have an extensive labor giving birth to her stillborn daughter, all while blaming herself for something she had no control over. Nights of no sleep, the haunting nightmares and degrading herself for the loss of her precious daughter, Shelby quickly fell into a deep depression. Seeking help from her doctor, she then was prescribed Xanax. After some time, she fell dependent on them consuming up to 11 pills a day. Shortly after not being able to legally obtain the prescription any longer she turned to self-medicating, leading her to the drug known as Heroin.
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While wanting to feel numb from the devastating pain of mourning the loss of her daughter, Shelby went on to fight through several overdoses and taking numerous trips to rehabs, one being in California where she reached 100 days sober. On June 6th, 2016, she was released from a local hospital after she had relapsed, overdosed, and threatened to harm herself. Only to overdose again on June 8, this time she was found submerged in the bathtub. Machines were the only thing keeping her alive. On Wednesday, June 10th at approximately 10:50 PM her last reflex was gone. The unbearable truth was set before us, and our beautiful Shelby was declared brain dead. Her long hard journey had come to an end, and Shelby was reunited with her daughter Alexia.
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To no surprise, Shelby being the selfless soul we all knew and loved so much, was in fact an Organ Donor, continuing to live on through the 3 precious lives that she saved with her Gift of Life.
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Shouting4Shelby was established in 2017 just a year after Shelby's family members had visited an Overdose Awareness event held in a different county. Like nothing they had experienced before, this event helped them find comfort in the grieving process. Realizing they weren't alone in this dark time of their lives, but that they were surrounded by others who weren't judging, or making rude comments, for once- no stigma or stares; it was just one big "family" trying to comfort one another after a devastating loss.
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Bringing this event to The County of Burlington, while sharing the story of our families tragic loss, we hope you too find comfort within the devastation you’ve experienced and know that - YOU ARE NOT ALONE!Â
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We may not know your story, but we share your pain.
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Please join us in further events!
If you would like for your loved one to be remembered on 8/31,Â
please send their name, pronunciation & one picture to
PHOTO@SHOUTING4SHELBY.ORGÂ
