Shelton STRONG!

Hello! My name is Wanda Hamm and I am reaching out to all my family, friends and friends of friends. I want to introduce to you a young man named Shelton aka Smiley. Shelton is 11 years old. He is the grandson of my very best friend since middle school. Here is his story.

Shelton is a 7th grader and attends school at Sipsey Valley Middle School. Shelton is a kind-hearted, friendly, loving, and outgoing person. He is always smiling no matter what life throws at him. When he was a baby he got the nickname "Smiley" because he was always smiling. To this day, this is still true. Throughout all the obstacles that have been thrown at him, not feeling good, not having a normal summer, being tired, hospital visits, etc, he has SMILED, the whole time. He enjoys sports of all kinds, baseball, football and basketball. He enjoys putting together legos and watching his favorite show...The Flash.

Shelton absolutely loves playing baseball. This was his second year playing ball at Kentuck Park. At the end of his season, he made the All-Star team and got to play with his team the Nationals for about 4 games before beginning diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia. Though he didn't get to finish the season on the field, the team made sure he finished the season with them. The team wrote his number on the back of their helmets and after winning, surprised him with the world series ring and they all voted him the MVP player. This is something he will never forget.

Shelton said when this journey started not to worry because when he got better and he can get back to the game, he would be like Flash, better and faster than ever. He is a fighter and for whatever reason God has him going through this for a reason. He has kept God by his side through all this and with God's help he will beat this fight.

Shelton was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia in May 2023. One day he was fine and the next day he wasn’t. AA is a very rare disease in which your body doesn’t produce enough red and white blood cells and platelets. It’s bone marrow damage. You treat it the same as you would leukemia. He is very tired. He has gum and mouth bleeds, nosebleeds and bruising. Along with no energy, he has no immune system. He is being prepped now for chemotherapy and then a bone marrow transplant to follow. His younger sister is a 100% match. He will stay in the Children’s Hospital of Birmingham for at least two plus months. He and his sister will be home-schooled at the hospital. His mother... Brittany Milligan is a Special Ed teacher at Buhl Elementary but will not be able to teach because she has to be with her children at the hospital and away from others to prevent the spreading of germs and sickness that could be detrimental to the healing and recovery process.

This disease has brought family, friends, and community together. Thankful for the abundance and outpouring of LOVE. We are asking for your help. First, we would covet your prayers for Shelton and his family as they navigate through this difficult time. Please add them to your church prayer list or prayer circle. We also ask for any donation large or small to help offset the financial burden. Please search your heart and give as God would direct. No amount is too small.

We want to stay in the Valley until God puts us on the mountaintop. Praising our Saviour.

#stay strong #bestrong #sheltonstrong #Godisfaithful #webelieve #wereceive