Megan, a Junior at St. Charles West High School, underwent more in the first few weeks of her life than most people do for their entire lifetime. She was born without a hip socket and also had seizures and kidney blockage. At ten days old, she was adopted by Mark and Cammie Shepherd and is one of eight children, seven of whom are adopted. She had her first of 33 surgeries at only 21 days old. Megan’s doctors did not think she would ever be able to walk or talk, but she proved them wrong.
Despite also being diagnosed with knock knees and undergoing several reconstruction surgeries, Megan always keeps a smile on her face and is a joy to everyone around her. Megan spread joy around St. Louis by being a Patient Ambassador at Shriners Hospitals for Children-St. Louis. She eagerly lends a hand at events and happily spreads the word of everything the hospital has to offer. Megan’s energy and positive attitude is contagious, and her smile and personality help to brighten the lives of everyone she meets.