Family, friends, and neighbors gathered at the Brimson Market this weekend with pottery, crafts, and a shared purpose: raising funds for our friend and neighbor, Shannon Stegmeir, who suffered a life-altering accident on May 3 that resulted in a C5 spinal cord injury.
Little Coyote Lake Pottery set out their work, with Bruce and Jaci Stipe (who run A Peace of Clay Studio) manning the table. Erik Stegmeir, of Northern Agate, added handmade agate lures and bottle stoppers. Chuck Lucas contributed a lineup of small Saunatonttus, or Sauna Elves, each crafted with care. All of it was offered with one hope in mind: helping Shannon and her husband, Jim, as they navigate the long recovery ahead.
After her fall, Shannon was airlifted to St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, where she underwent surgery to stabilize her spine and relieve pressure on the injured area. She spent 16 days in the ICU and five weeks in the Miller Dwan Acute Care Rehab unit before returning home in late June. Neighbors were thrilled to see her back, though everyone understands the transition is difficult and ongoing.
Spinal cord injuries unfold slowly, and doctors often say it can take a year or more before the full picture becomes clear. A C5 injury affects movement and sensation from the chest downward, leaving the arms with limited function and the hands with only partial grasp. Shannon has regained some wrist extension and a small pincer grip, enough to feed herself with adapted silverware. She works daily with therapists, stretching, breathing, and learning new ways to move through her home and yard in her motorized chair. Jim has outfitted their house with ramps, a lift, and an expanded shower, and friends have stepped in wherever they can.
Her family describes her as “adapting to her new reality with characteristic grace and gratitude for all the loved ones and professionals that are supporting her in this difficult period.” That grace has become a kind of anchor for the people around her.
A GoFundMe has been created with a goal of $60,000 to help with the costs of accessible transportation, medical equipment, home modifications, in-home care, and long-term medical needs. The organizers wrote that “SO MANY loving friends and family have asked how they can help,” and the fundraiser is one way to support Shannon and Jim as they adjust to this new chapter.
The pottery and art sale at the Brimson Market was a small reflection of what Shannon has meant to this community and how quickly people have rallied around her. If you missed the pottery, consider scanning the QR code to donate to the current GoFundMe.
