Living for 20 years with undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder, P.T.S.D. caused by military sexual trauma, M.S.T. and Gulf War Illness, G.W.I. has not made life an easy path for Sergeant Stephanie J. Shannon. In this, first book, Battling the Storm Within, Stephanie shares how her time of military service, and the resulting trauma she experienced, continues to affect her daily life, even 20 plus years later, a common story among military veterans. A brave and deeply personal memoir that details Stephanie's military experiences, and especially her struggles when transitioning back to civilian life, this book is a bold step on the path for recovery for all veterans. This book serves not only as a lesson of how to reclaim your life after PTSD, GWI, and MST, but also a call for change in legislation, government policies, the VA system, and military practices and procedures that impact the veteran population and their families. Stephanie's story is a story of struggle, survival, and healing; that empowers others to address their own personal traumas and overcome them, bring awareness to the public the many issues the veteran population face, and provide resources and solutions to veterans and others in need. Her mission is to empower others to face their own personal traumas, be healed, restored and live again.
About the Author: Sgt. Stephanie Shannon served in the U.S. Army as a Sergeant/Non-Commissioned Officer for 8 years and in the Desert Storm/Desert Shield Persian Gulf War 1990-1991. She earned a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Grand Valley State University in 1996. In 1999 she founded Stepeze Inc. a youth development organization that serves the at-risk youth in the community. She is an author, entrepreneur, licensed and ordained minister, consultant, inspirational speaker and veteran advocate who has over 27 years of experience in the fields of business, social work, community development, leadership, ministry, collaborations, workshops and seminars. Her core expertise includes a strong background in development of grass-roots organizations, community development, para-legal, social work, military leadership, prophetic and intercessory prayer ministry, and operating and managing youth organizations and programs. Organization leadership, nonprofit management and operation, program management, social services, community outreach, entrepreneurship, leadership and program development. Event planning, team building, motivational speaking, coaching, volunteer management, teaching, workshop facilitation, instructor, public relations, customer service, career counseling, staff development, community development, social networking, social media, writing, research, Microsoft office, networking, business development, singing and mentoring. In her personal time, she enjoys family life, technology, reading, ministry, swimming, nature, traveling, networking and multi-cultural activities and events. She is a disabled Gulf War veteran that is a strong advocate for veterans, especially the women veteran population. She is a facilitator for a Women's Vet to Vet support group in Genesee County, Michigan. She is a powerful inspirational speaker that is gifted to empower others and invoke change in the mind of the audience. She is a strong intercessor that has her own Intercessory Prayer Ministry since 2010 on Facebook called "Breakthrough to Freedom" www.talkshoe.com/tc/118089. She believes change happens in the mind and in the spiritual realm so a strong prayer life is essential. If you want change then make it happen is her motto!