†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜
Special thanks to RoxEd~ Jean for sponsoring Shantel's memorial. You are most wonderful.
†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜
Life Stories: Disabled girl's life full of loving care from her mother
The Denver Post - Friday, May 3, 2002
Author: Claire Martin Denver, Post Staff Writer
When Shantel Denise Allen was born, her disabilities were so profound that doctors doubted she'd live past age 4. She was 17 years old when she died of respiratory failure April 24.
Everyone who met Shantel remembered her as an exceptionally pretty child, with smooth, soft skin, a cloud of dark hair and beautiful, meticulously clean clothing.
"Shantel always looked like she'd been dressed by someone who loved her and who deeply cared for her," said Peggy Upton, a paraprofessional teacher assistant at Thomas Jefferson High School, where Shantel briefly attended the special-education program.
That someone was Shantel's mother, Paulette Allen. With the support of her mother, Edna Mae Green-Falls, caring for Shantel was Allen's full-time job.
Shantel's disabilities were extensive. She could not speak, but she could make sounds that showed she was pleased or upset. She could not sit in a chair without being propped up, so Allen bought her a special wheelchair.
Nobody was sure exactly how much Shantel could see or hear, but those who worked with her knew that her face lit up whenever she sensed the presence of her mother, grandmother or 7-year-old brother, Wilfredo Delray Llano.
At Thomas Jefferson's special-education center in the fall of 2000, Upton and special-education teacher Jelynn Kaplan encouraged Shantel to manipulate switches that controlled a computer and a boombox that played music. Shantel seemed to love music, smiling as she felt the pulse of sound.
When she was happy, Shantel bubbled with a laugh that, her grandmother said, could "fill a room with happiness." For someone who spoke no words, she could communicate quite clearly.
Shantel's mother tenderly dressed, bathed and changed her daughter. Shantel's disabilities meant she was as dependent as a 3-month-old, even after reaching adolescence. Paulette Allen was by her side during the many times Shantel was hospitalized with chronic pneumonia.
"Shantel never had bedsore issues. She had no skin issues whatsoever. Her bed was always made perfectly, with hospital corners. Her room was all pinks and purples and yellows, very cheerful. Lots of stuffed animals. The radio was always on. The house was immaculate. The care never ceased," said Liz Littleton, a Hospice of Metro Denver nurse who helped tend to Shantel during her last months.
A cold wind blew Wednesday at Shantel's graveside funeral, chilling the tears rolling down mourners' faces. Shantel's little brother, Wilfredo, sobbed for his sister. Shantel also is survived by her grandfather, Robert Lewis Falls Sr. of Denver; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Info from sr/ks Romberger....
The Denver Post
†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜
When God made the Rose, Don't you see. Twas a Blessing for you and me. We thank him for the Love that he sent from above, This Extrordinary Rose; This Beautiful Rose; This Wonderful Rose; This Lovely Rose; `~ Love Mom ~`
†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜
Special thanks to RoxEd~ Jean for sponsoring Shantel's memorial. You are most wonderful.
†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜
Life Stories: Disabled girl's life full of loving care from her mother
The Denver Post - Friday, May 3, 2002
Author: Claire Martin Denver, Post Staff Writer
When Shantel Denise Allen was born, her disabilities were so profound that doctors doubted she'd live past age 4. She was 17 years old when she died of respiratory failure April 24.
Everyone who met Shantel remembered her as an exceptionally pretty child, with smooth, soft skin, a cloud of dark hair and beautiful, meticulously clean clothing.
"Shantel always looked like she'd been dressed by someone who loved her and who deeply cared for her," said Peggy Upton, a paraprofessional teacher assistant at Thomas Jefferson High School, where Shantel briefly attended the special-education program.
That someone was Shantel's mother, Paulette Allen. With the support of her mother, Edna Mae Green-Falls, caring for Shantel was Allen's full-time job.
Shantel's disabilities were extensive. She could not speak, but she could make sounds that showed she was pleased or upset. She could not sit in a chair without being propped up, so Allen bought her a special wheelchair.
Nobody was sure exactly how much Shantel could see or hear, but those who worked with her knew that her face lit up whenever she sensed the presence of her mother, grandmother or 7-year-old brother, Wilfredo Delray Llano.
At Thomas Jefferson's special-education center in the fall of 2000, Upton and special-education teacher Jelynn Kaplan encouraged Shantel to manipulate switches that controlled a computer and a boombox that played music. Shantel seemed to love music, smiling as she felt the pulse of sound.
When she was happy, Shantel bubbled with a laugh that, her grandmother said, could "fill a room with happiness." For someone who spoke no words, she could communicate quite clearly.
Shantel's mother tenderly dressed, bathed and changed her daughter. Shantel's disabilities meant she was as dependent as a 3-month-old, even after reaching adolescence. Paulette Allen was by her side during the many times Shantel was hospitalized with chronic pneumonia.
"Shantel never had bedsore issues. She had no skin issues whatsoever. Her bed was always made perfectly, with hospital corners. Her room was all pinks and purples and yellows, very cheerful. Lots of stuffed animals. The radio was always on. The house was immaculate. The care never ceased," said Liz Littleton, a Hospice of Metro Denver nurse who helped tend to Shantel during her last months.
A cold wind blew Wednesday at Shantel's graveside funeral, chilling the tears rolling down mourners' faces. Shantel's little brother, Wilfredo, sobbed for his sister. Shantel also is survived by her grandfather, Robert Lewis Falls Sr. of Denver; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Info from sr/ks Romberger....
The Denver Post
†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜
When God made the Rose, Don't you see. Twas a Blessing for you and me. We thank him for the Love that he sent from above, This Extrordinary Rose; This Beautiful Rose; This Wonderful Rose; This Lovely Rose; `~ Love Mom ~`
†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜
†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜
Special thanks to RoxEd~ Jean for sponsoring Shantel's memorial. You are most wonderful.
†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜
Life Stories: Disabled girl's life full of loving care from her mother
The Denver Post - Friday, May 3, 2002
Author: Claire Martin Denver, Post Staff Writer
When Shantel Denise Allen was born, her disabilities were so profound that doctors doubted she'd live past age 4. She was 17 years old when she died of respiratory failure April 24.
Everyone who met Shantel remembered her as an exceptionally pretty child, with smooth, soft skin, a cloud of dark hair and beautiful, meticulously clean clothing.
"Shantel always looked like she'd been dressed by someone who loved her and who deeply cared for her," said Peggy Upton, a paraprofessional teacher assistant at Thomas Jefferson High School, where Shantel briefly attended the special-education program.
That someone was Shantel's mother, Paulette Allen. With the support of her mother, Edna Mae Green-Falls, caring for Shantel was Allen's full-time job.
Shantel's disabilities were extensive. She could not speak, but she could make sounds that showed she was pleased or upset. She could not sit in a chair without being propped up, so Allen bought her a special wheelchair.
Nobody was sure exactly how much Shantel could see or hear, but those who worked with her knew that her face lit up whenever she sensed the presence of her mother, grandmother or 7-year-old brother, Wilfredo Delray Llano.
At Thomas Jefferson's special-education center in the fall of 2000, Upton and special-education teacher Jelynn Kaplan encouraged Shantel to manipulate switches that controlled a computer and a boombox that played music. Shantel seemed to love music, smiling as she felt the pulse of sound.
When she was happy, Shantel bubbled with a laugh that, her grandmother said, could "fill a room with happiness." For someone who spoke no words, she could communicate quite clearly.
Shantel's mother tenderly dressed, bathed and changed her daughter. Shantel's disabilities meant she was as dependent as a 3-month-old, even after reaching adolescence. Paulette Allen was by her side during the many times Shantel was hospitalized with chronic pneumonia.
"Shantel never had bedsore issues. She had no skin issues whatsoever. Her bed was always made perfectly, with hospital corners. Her room was all pinks and purples and yellows, very cheerful. Lots of stuffed animals. The radio was always on. The house was immaculate. The care never ceased," said Liz Littleton, a Hospice of Metro Denver nurse who helped tend to Shantel during her last months.
A cold wind blew Wednesday at Shantel's graveside funeral, chilling the tears rolling down mourners' faces. Shantel's little brother, Wilfredo, sobbed for his sister. Shantel also is survived by her grandfather, Robert Lewis Falls Sr. of Denver; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Info from sr/ks Romberger....
The Denver Post
†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜
When God made the Rose, Don't you see. Twas a Blessing for you and me. We thank him for the Love that he sent from above, This Extrordinary Rose; This Beautiful Rose; This Wonderful Rose; This Lovely Rose; `~ Love Mom ~`
†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜
Special thanks to RoxEd~ Jean for sponsoring Shantel's memorial. You are most wonderful.
†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜
Life Stories: Disabled girl's life full of loving care from her mother
The Denver Post - Friday, May 3, 2002
Author: Claire Martin Denver, Post Staff Writer
When Shantel Denise Allen was born, her disabilities were so profound that doctors doubted she'd live past age 4. She was 17 years old when she died of respiratory failure April 24.
Everyone who met Shantel remembered her as an exceptionally pretty child, with smooth, soft skin, a cloud of dark hair and beautiful, meticulously clean clothing.
"Shantel always looked like she'd been dressed by someone who loved her and who deeply cared for her," said Peggy Upton, a paraprofessional teacher assistant at Thomas Jefferson High School, where Shantel briefly attended the special-education program.
That someone was Shantel's mother, Paulette Allen. With the support of her mother, Edna Mae Green-Falls, caring for Shantel was Allen's full-time job.
Shantel's disabilities were extensive. She could not speak, but she could make sounds that showed she was pleased or upset. She could not sit in a chair without being propped up, so Allen bought her a special wheelchair.
Nobody was sure exactly how much Shantel could see or hear, but those who worked with her knew that her face lit up whenever she sensed the presence of her mother, grandmother or 7-year-old brother, Wilfredo Delray Llano.
At Thomas Jefferson's special-education center in the fall of 2000, Upton and special-education teacher Jelynn Kaplan encouraged Shantel to manipulate switches that controlled a computer and a boombox that played music. Shantel seemed to love music, smiling as she felt the pulse of sound.
When she was happy, Shantel bubbled with a laugh that, her grandmother said, could "fill a room with happiness." For someone who spoke no words, she could communicate quite clearly.
Shantel's mother tenderly dressed, bathed and changed her daughter. Shantel's disabilities meant she was as dependent as a 3-month-old, even after reaching adolescence. Paulette Allen was by her side during the many times Shantel was hospitalized with chronic pneumonia.
"Shantel never had bedsore issues. She had no skin issues whatsoever. Her bed was always made perfectly, with hospital corners. Her room was all pinks and purples and yellows, very cheerful. Lots of stuffed animals. The radio was always on. The house was immaculate. The care never ceased," said Liz Littleton, a Hospice of Metro Denver nurse who helped tend to Shantel during her last months.
A cold wind blew Wednesday at Shantel's graveside funeral, chilling the tears rolling down mourners' faces. Shantel's little brother, Wilfredo, sobbed for his sister. Shantel also is survived by her grandfather, Robert Lewis Falls Sr. of Denver; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Info from sr/ks Romberger....
The Denver Post
†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜
When God made the Rose, Don't you see. Twas a Blessing for you and me. We thank him for the Love that he sent from above, This Extrordinary Rose; This Beautiful Rose; This Wonderful Rose; This Lovely Rose; `~ Love Mom ~`
†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜†💜
