I am coming to grips that I will likely be a writer, working from home, for the rest of my life. If this is the case, I accept it.

Just sharing my heart with you all today

(I have not used AI to write or even edit this piece so please forgive any errors.)

I am just sharing my heart today. I have so many stories and photos and videos I want to share with you from across the world, but today I just want to speak to you about mine. I am coming to grips with some important truths about my future.

I also have a request at the end - not for money, but something much better.

For those of you who don’t know, I’ve had 5 major spinal surgeries, fractures to shoulder, two torn rotator cuffs, carpal tunnel surgery, over 400 stitches on my face, my left eyelid and bottom lip sewn back on, damage to 20 teeth, massive damage to my sinuses, and more. I’ve lost count of it all to be honest.

I am basically being held together by duct tape at this point.

In March of 2025, I had two titanium discs put in my neck. My body is basically rejecting those two discs, it’s causing rapid bone deterioration, and I have to get those discs removed, then fused.

But, I am having such severe pain that doctors see the need for several more serious surgeries up and down my spine.

And if you know me, I am an endless optimist, but I am realistic as well. My upcoming surgeries are going to do a few things:

1. At the very least they will keep me home for nearly a year as I recover from the worst of it.

2. Cause massive limitations to the movement of my neck and spine.

3. Require me to live and move very differently than I have for a lot of my life.

4. Depending on the severity of it all, it may seriously affect my ability to move and travel without great pain for a very long time, if not forever.

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So I am starting to come to grips with the fact that a lot of what I love to do as a person and a leader - I might not be able to do for a long time, if ever. And Alhamdulillah if that’s the case I accept it. Allah knows best. I trust God.

Writing is one of my first loves. I’ve been a writer since I was at least in 2nd grade. I wrote fictional cartoons and comic books until I was in middle school, then I started using my love for writing and thinking in all of my essays.

I was the lead opinion writer for our newspaper at Morehouse College, and have been writing ever since. My love for writing is the foundation for my entire life as a speaker.

I’ve spoken in 49 states and all over the world - for META - the company that has now banned me. For Spotify. For Google. I spoke in jails and prisons FULL TIME for years. I was a pastor for 15 years and wrote hundreds of sermons.

I started a full time blog in 2006 and soon threw my heart and soul into MySpace, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

I’ve written over 2,000 articles about injustice around the world and our fight against it.

I am a writer.

I do other things. I have other skills. But writing is a key passion and I am learning more and more how I will be able to write, from home, even with all of the challenges ahead. Many people with far worse injuries and even worse pain have remained writers and I aim to do so…

But here is my only request….

Of course I’d love your prayers for myself and my family.

However, I simply ask that you stick with me as I navigate these challenges ahead. That’s all I am asking for.

I am committed to my best writing and my best work being ahead of me and not behind me - regardless of the challenges.

I am just learning how to adjust to writing while in so much pain. It’s different.

Love and appreciate each of you.
Your friend and brother,

Shaun