Love for Nori Q (Nori Shawk)

Nori Shawk is a kind, inquisitive, spunky, fun-loving 6th grade student at Glenwood Intermediate School in Canton, Ohio. School is one of her favorite places to be, especially when it comes to lunch and recess and ultimately, being with friends. Nori is creative, sweet, energetic, kind, bold, and tenacious. She tackles life with shimmer and grit; she loves to laugh, joke and sing or get dirty, compete and play hard. Nori may be petite in stature but holds her own in any setting with her tried and true personality and character. This cute, little young lady is a Swiftie and cat lover through and through. She loves sugar in any form, making lemonade stands, being adventurous in the great outdoors, helping others, sewing and crocheting, creating in her mud kitchen, playing basketball and trying new things. Her mind and imagination are limitless, her heart and spirit are soft and her body is strong and feisty.

On Wednesday, October 25th, 2023, Nori got off the school bus and went inside to check in with her family only to bounce back out the door to enjoy the gorgeous fall afternoon. This beautiful, bright, social butterfly was headed across the street to play with neighbor girls just as she had done many times before. While crossing the street, Nori was struck by a car believed to be going approximately 45 miles per hour. A neighbor who first saw the accident alerted the family that their daughter had been struck. Mom, dad and brother rushed to the street not knowing what to expect and unsure if they had lost their daughter and sister. Fortunately, Nori is alive and was rushed to the hospital. She is now at Akron Children’s Hospital in their Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Nori’s vitals are stable, she is breathing on her own and able to move her limbs. Meanwhile, she suffered many injuries including scrapes, bruises, spinal and collar fractures and severe brain trauma (diffuse axonal injury), and is in a coma. The recovery time and final outcome is unknown. The process of waking up typically takes weeks to months, with a long recovery road after that.

At this time, Colleen and Andy want to be by Nori’s side through this difficult recovery process and will be missing work. The outlook for this hospital stay is unknown and medical bills and expenses will be unthinkable.

So many people (directly and indirectly) know, love and want to support the Shawk Family through this time and I know their community will envelop them with its goodness, help and love and support. It would not be a surprise to me if you have somehow experienced the kindness of a Shawk, be it Andy, Colleen, Isaac or Nori and now, it’s our turn!! Let’s help them in this practical way by giving where there is a genuine need. Their hearts and minds are greatly burdened by these circumstances. They need not worry about money. Let’s stand strong, by their side, give willingly and rally with and for Nori.

Whether or not you’re able to financially give, we ask for your prayers for a few specific things.

1. For Nori’s body & mind to be restored to FULL health & function

2. For Andy, Colleen & Isaac to be comforted & filled with peace as they deal with the emotions of the accident & all of the surrounding circumstances

Colleen wants to share with everyone the following:

“We have seen God’s hand working in so many details of the circumstances and we know He is near. We feel Him tangibly in the loving presence of those around us.”

The day of the accident, Nori wrote “Slay the day away” on her hand. This is a fitting reflection of her spirit. Nori is a fighter! Please, join the battle and let their family know that we are in this awful struggle with them.

#slaythedayawayNoriQ

(Thank you to Kristin Fleming & Jared Adams who gave their time to help with writing/coordinating this beautiful write up of sweet Nori, who we all love so much.)