When Shannon purchased a Floor Coverings International franchise in 2017, he and his family were excited about what the future held for them. Being an entrepreneur has many advantages, and having the opportunity to be part of FirstService Brands, with its track record of success and alignment to his personal values, appealed to him.
Little did he know that less than two years later, his life would be forever changed.
This past March, at just 47 years of age, and in good health, Shannon suffered a massive heart attack. His is what is known as a “widow maker” heart attack, and, as its name implies, they are often fatal. With no known risk factors, his doctor chalked it up to bad luck. Shannon, however, sees it differently. With just a 5% chance of survival, and having been clinically dead before doctors brought him back to life, Shannon considers himself lucky to be alive.
His recovery forced him out of work for three months, during which time bills associated with his business and household expenses and medical treatments began to pile up. This created additional stress for him and his family during what was already an extremely difficult time.
Fortunately, Shannon applied for and received a grant through the FirstService Relief Fund. The funds he received bridged the gap during the time he was unable to work and allowed him to stay current on his day-to-day expenses.
Today, Shannon is feeling great. He has committed to taking better care of himself, making better food choices and exercising regularly. He’s grateful he was able to see his son graduate high school earlier this summer and dreams of the day he will walk his daughter down the aisle.
“I’m so appreciative of my colleagues who contributed to the Relief Fund and made my grant possible,” said Shannon. “I never imagined I’d be in a situation where I needed help, and feel very lucky to work for a company that cares so much about its people. If you are able to contribute to the Relief Fund, you are truly making a difference in someone’s life. If you have a need for support or know someone who does, please look into applying for a Relief Fund grant.”
We thank Shannon for sharing his story in the hopes it will inspire others to become involved in the FirstService Relief Fund. For more information please visit http://www.firstservicerelief.com.