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 Submitted by Sarah Holt |
Nathan Ray Shinn 2004 - 2006 Nathan Ray Shinn, a blessing to this world, was born on April 8, 2004. Not the typical healthy child of God's, Nathan was born in Oklahoma City with an abnormality that gave him a critical life expectancy from day one. Still, the glow that this newborn possessed showed that his creator's work does bring us together. Nathan Ray progressed without incident for several months, as his family grew close around him. He was like the cohesive force that binds us as one. Several months into Nathan's presumably shortened life he was traumatized in an accident that would further beg of his parents, 'God, why?' Yet the glow of this child showed his will and determination.
When Nathan was just 9 months old, Brandon and Brittany took Nathan to the hospital, concerned because their young son was not gaining any weight. Nathan's doctors and nurses were as concerned as his parents, and elected to admit Nathan in order to treat him. Brittany and Brandon were used to hospital visits by then, and they spent hours by the side of their little boy that night, hoping he'd improve.
When Brittany and Brandon returned the next morning, Brandon noticed that Nathan's head was swollen and appeared to be injured. Nathan recoiled in pain when his father touched the red, inflamed spot on his small head, terrifying Brittany and Brandon. They immediately expressed their concern to the hospital staff, having no idea what might have caused this. They thought they had left Nathan in the most capable hands possible. After a CAT scan, Brandon and Brittany received horrifying news: the test revealed multiple skull fractures and bleeding on the brain of their little boy.
There was nothing to explain these injuries, no prior condition, nothing in Nathan's chart, so the hospital notified police, suspecting child abuse. Because Brittany and Brandon had spent several hours by their son's bedside the night before, the hospital looked to them first. They were shocked that the hospital would accuse them of such a terrible thing, as they were only doing what any two parents would do: sitting by their child's side and worrying, praying, and hoping for his improvement.
The police investigated for weeks. Brittany and Brandon, already buckling under the stress of their son's injuries, submitted to lie-detector tests to clear their names. After they passed and were cleared of any wrongdoing, the attending personnel at the hospital were asked to submit to lie detector tests.
It was only then that a hospital nurse confessed to causing the terrible injury to Nathan. She had lifted Nathan from his crib, dropping his feeding tube to the floor. While still holding Nathan in her arms, the nurse tried to reach the feeding tube on the floor.
Nathan's head hit a table, causing four skull fractures and a subdural hematoma. Rather than reporting the incident, Nathan's nurse put him back in bed. Her careless, egregious error would forever change the lives of the Shinns.
In 2006, an Oklahoma jury found the hospital at fault for Nathan's injuries. With the damages that were awarded, Brandon & Brittany want to change the lives of special needs children for the better.
Brandon and Brittany know firsthand the not only the joys, but also the challenges, of being parents to a special needs child. It's their wish to not only ease the some of those daily challenges but also to increase the quality of life for the children and families who need it the most.
Although just 2 1/2 years old, little Nathan shone a light into the hearts of many who encountered him. Those most greatly touched were his parents, Brittany and Brandon Shinn and his sister, Shelby Isabell Shinn, all of the home.
He leaves other extended family to cherish his memories: Grandparents, George & Terry Bell of Oklahoma City, Marilyn & Jimmy Staggs of Del City, Vernon & Dianne Shinn of Harrah; Uncles, Roy Shinn, Vernon Shinn Jr., Joshua Staggs; Aunts, Staci Shinn, Destiny Stallcup, Amanda Melton, Athena Stallcup; and cousins that will miss him. Services will be 2 pm Monday December 18, 2006 at Hibbs Funeral Home with interment following at Tom Farrell Cemetery in Harrah, OK.
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