Update: May 28
Unfortunately, Shannon has developed a blood clot in his lower lung. He was taken to the ER earlier this morning and is scheduled for a procedure tomorrow morning to attempt to remove the clot. Please pray for a successful procedure. Pray that God will heal him and give him the strength to endure. Pray that God grants the doctors wisdom and steady hands.
Thank you for your continued support!
Update: May 21
Shannon will stay at Rusk Rehabilitation Hospital through May 30, and we’re hoping he can remain there longer if possible. Unfortunately, our current insurance does not cover outpatient rehab, so we’re exploring alternative options to access the physical therapy and rehabilitation services Shannon needs—ideally with minimal out-of-pocket costs. Potential options include applying for a fall program at MU called PhyZOU, exploring Medicare coverage, and arranging in-home therapy with a hired professional.
We’re also in the process of purchasing a mobility van. Thanks to your generous donations, we hope to have both a truck to help with work on the property and a mobility van to support Shannon’s transportation and accessibility needs.
Shannon continues to make meaningful progress. His left hand is gaining strength — he can now lift his arm, though not yet to his face. Therapists are helping him begin to steer his wheelchair with a joystick rather than the breathing tube. He’s also working on rolling over in bed, which will make home care easier.
With the help of a support device, Shannon has been able to bear 170–180 pounds of his own weight. His left leg is showing a bit more movement, while the right remains limited. He’s also beginning to lean forward slightly while seated in his wheelchair.
The road ahead is long, but we’re encouraged every day by these steps forward. Thank you all for your continued support, generosity, and prayers — we couldn’t do this without you.
If you’re looking for specific ways to pray, here are a few:
- For Shannon’s continued physical progress — especially in his limbs, strength, and independence — and for protection from setbacks
- For wisdom and provision as we seek the right rehab programs, insurance coverage, and accessible transportation
- For emotional strength, peace, and encouragement for Shannon and our family during this long recovery
- For continued provision to meet financial needs for care, equipment, and daily living
- For God to be glorified through this unforeseen situation, and for His purposes to be fulfilled through it all
With gratitude,
Shannon & Anita
Update on Shannon’s Recovery – May 7
We are incredibly grateful for the support you’ve shown Shannon and Anita—thank you! So far, we’ve raised just over 20% of our goal. Please continue sharing the campaign link so others can join in giving.
As of Wednesday, May 7, Shannon is continuing treatment at Rusk Rehabilitation Hospital in Columbia. We’re encouraged to see steady progress—more areas of his body are responding to therapy every few days. One key goal right now is for Shannon to stand and support his weight safely, without blood pressure issues. He is expected to remain at Rusk for at least another week, possibly longer. After that, they are exploring the options of either transferring to a facility in Nebraska or being discharged home.
Looking ahead, one major need is transportation. Shannon is currently in a motorized wheelchair, so they will need a wheelchair-accessible van to get to and from appointments.
Please continue to pray for the Davidsons—for Shannon’s continued healing and strength, for Anita to have peace, provision, and endurance as she manages their business and cares for him, for wisdom and discernment for his medical team as they determine next steps, for insurance matters to be resolved smoothly, and for God to go before them every step of the way on this journey.
Thank you again for walking with them through this journey.
“Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” – Psalm 115:1
Shannon’s Story
On April 10, 2025, our dear friend Shannon Davidson was in a serious car accident that left him hospitalized with severe injuries, including a broken rib and damage to vertebrae in the C4–C7 region of his spine. He is currently unable to move his arms or legs. While we are deeply thankful that Shannon survived, his journey toward healing will be long, difficult, and financially overwhelming.
Shannon is a cherished member of our community and a dedicated entrepreneur. He and his wife, Anita, have built a beautiful life and business together. With Shannon unable to work, they are facing financial hardship. Their wedding venue, A Secret Place, has been their labor of love and primary source of income, but it now requires urgent support to keep operating.
About Shannon and Anita’s Business
In 2001, Shannon and Anita followed a dream and moved from Switzerland to a quiet cornfield in the Missouri countryside. There, they lovingly transformed the land into A Secret Place—a serene outdoor wedding venue in Jamestown, MO—where couples have celebrated the bond between a man and a woman in the beauty of God’s creation since 2014. During the off-season, they also host guests through Airbnb.
Shannon has always been the heartbeat of the property. He manages the business’s finances and administration, maintains the grounds, sets up wedding furniture, operates the sound system, manages trash removal, and acts as a liaison with couples and wedding planners. He also oversees a small team who help bring the venue to life. Without him physically able to fulfill these roles, the business needs help.
How You Can Help
Shannon and Anita need our support—both emotionally and financially—as they navigate this incredibly difficult time. We are rallying together to raise $60,000 to cover the following essential needs:
- Staffing and Labor Support Salary
They have hired a trusted helper, Jonathan, to take on many of Shannon’s responsibilities. Additional support is needed to assist with day-of wedding operations and routine property tasks. - Property Repairs
- Renovating a trailer for Jonathan to live in while helping.
- Repairing the leaking roof of the main building, recently damaged by storms.
- Purchasing a reliable work truck essential for maintaining the property.
- Renovating a trailer for Jonathan to live in while helping.
- Lost Income
Anita has stepped away from her cleaning business to care for Shannon full-time, sacrificing her income to support his recovery and continue running the venue. - Medical Expenses
Ongoing rehabilitation, treatment, and necessary medical equipment—specifically an electronic lift for daily transfers in and out of bed is needed for Shannon’s recovery at home. - Home Renovations
To create a safe and accessible environment, they need to:- Replace flood-damaged flooring.
- Make the gravel driveway and home entrance wheelchair accessible.
- Create access to a bathroom currently up two steps.
Shannon’s Current Condition (as of April 25, 2025)
Shannon is currently receiving care at Rusk Rehabilitation Hospital in Columbia, MO. He still has limited mobility from the elbows down, but there have been encouraging signs of progress: he can now tighten his stomach muscles, lift his hips off the bed, and move his left pointer finger!
Doctors are giving him a 75% chance of walking again within the next year. Shannon is determined to beat those odds and is fully committed to doing the hard work needed for full recovery. He is expected to be discharged within 2–4 weeks and will continue his rehabilitation from home.
Every Dollar Makes a Difference
Your donation—no matter the size—will go directly toward these urgent needs. You’ll be helping ease the burden on Shannon and Anita so they can focus on what truly matters: healing, hope, and moving forward.
Please consider donating and sharing this fundraiser with your friends, family, and community. Together, we can surround Shannon and Anita with the love and support they need during this incredibly challenging time.
Join Us in Prayer
Along with your financial support, we humbly ask for your prayers. We give thanks to God for the healing already underway and ask for continued strength and perseverance for Shannon. Pray for Anita as she steps into the role of caregiver, that she would be uplifted, sustained, and supported. And pray for continued provision—of people, resources, and peace.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with Shannon and Anita. Your compassion means the world.
