Meet Shaun O'Neal: sanfilippo dad, family man, law enforcement officer, and special needs advocacy leader in his community

Tennesse Sanfilippo cop dad Shaun O'Neal, inspired by his son Kiernan's courageous battle with Sanfilippo Syndrome, started up a brand new task force within his police department to help educate and mentor his fellow law enforcement officers about the best way to approach citizens that may have special needs - with empathy, understanding, patience and an open mind.  

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Tennessee native Shaun O'Neal is the proud father to 4 kids and clearly a happily married man (to wife Amanda), with a contagious gratitude for life and a 'never quit' attitude that has served him well in life - particularly in times of stress, anxiety and even fear.  Shaun's dedicated, 23-year career as a law enforcement officer in his community has shaped the man that he is today - and he's used many of those qualities, lessons and acquired skills to help his son Kiernan (8 years old) and his family of 6 battle Sanfilippo Syndrome. 

He's also an impact maker in his community - even heading up and leading a task force at his police department that is focused on helping officers recognize and properly handle situations arising from community members that may have special needs. After all, many of these individuals perhaps don't even understand that what they're doing is even 'wrong'. Inspired by his son's Sanfilippo journey, Shaun is creating positive change every day in his community. This wouldn't have happened without his Kiernan's shining light guiding the way.  
  
I asked Shaun about how he and his wife Amanda function as a team when it comes to tackling and navigating the Sanfilippo Life with their 4 children.  He told me that Amanda is the researcher - she wants to understand every single, minute detail about everything.  He told me - and she agrees - that it's because "At least doing the research gives her the illusion of control" - which, as many of us know and have experienced during our Sanfilippo journeys, becomes somewhat of a psychological need when your life gets suddenly thrown into chaos, uncertainty and fear.  "As for me", Shaun stated, "I'm really, really good at mentally compartmentalizing - and, mind you, that's not always a good thing - but it's just the way I handle things".  He went on to tell me, "I don't think about the long term often - and I never quit. I never throw in the towel".   Click the video link below to hear Shaun tell it.

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I don't think about the long term often, and I never quit. I never throw in the towel"

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