By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Sean Keegan, 14, who was recently named The Cubby’s February Hero of the Month, just doesn’t give up. “He gets frustrated sometimes,” said his mother Heather, “but he always just keeps going forward.”
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Cindy Johnson, owner of The Cubby in Caribou and Presque Isle recently presented Sean Keegan, the son of Heather Keegan of Presque Isle, with a $100 check for being named The Cubby’s February Hero of the Month.
“He is such a sweet young man,” stated Gail Clukey of Presque Isle, who nominated and referred this month’s hero to The Cubby’s owner Cindy Johnson. Clukey is treasurer of the Shriners Sunshine Club, an organization that helps to raise money for medical expenses for families with children in need.
Sean, with a bright and very contagious smile and ready laugh, is an eighth-grade student at the Presque Isle Middle School, where his favorite subjects are “gym,” taught by Mr. Cronin and art.
Born 10 weeks prematurely, Shawn was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth and has used a wheelchair all of his life, but his affliction doesn’t get in his way. “He just has it in his mind that — this is the way it is and he just does everything,” said his mother. “He doesn’t back down from anything — he’s not afraid of the unknown — he’ll try anything.”
Like most 14-year-olds, Sean enjoys action movies, likes most any kind of food, at times gives his older sister Brianna a hard time and most of his days are very busy. Aside from school, which, according to his mom, he really likes, the young man undergoes physical and occupational therapy four times a week. He also participates in a relatively new program called Lite Gate at The Aroostook Medical Center, a program that centers on taking the body weight off one’s legs while exercising. Sean also receives Botox shots every 14 weeks at Houlton Regional Hospital, that work to loosen the muscles in his legs.
“We used Life Flight to travel to Sean’s medical appointments to the Shriner’s Hospital in Springfield, Mass. and to have him fitted for braces from the time he was born until about the time he was 10,” said Heather. “After that, when he had appointments, we would drive. Sean goes to Bangor for his check-ups and X-rays now.”
One other thing Sean is really interested in is professional wrestling and he is very anxious for March 4 to arrive, as he will be at the Bangor Auditorium watching his favorite wrestler John Cena in the arena.
Sean’s mother offered these words to parents who may be just beginning the journey with a child that has cerebral palsy. “Never give up and never let your child give up. They may fight against the therapy and stretching but don’t ever let them stop even though sometimes they fight back against it. It’s definitely not easy at times but you just keep going,” she said.
“Who bugs you the most?” Heather asked her son, who quickly with a big smile pointed his finger right back at her.
For being named The Cubby’s February Hero, Johnson presented Shawn with a $100 check.
As parents of a special needs child themselves, Cindy and Chris Johnson established The Cubby’s Hero of the Month program at their business, as a way to give back to the community and helping other families who have children living with life threatening medical conditions.
