Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy & My Daughter by Shannon Kenitz

On this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791, I welcome Shannon Kenitz to the Buck & Honey’s remote studios and the Team 212 Training & The AEA Institute Mental Health Desk. Shannon joins us to share an extraordinary story of hope, perseverance, and a mother’s unwavering determination to save her daughter’s life. Shannon will also share details about her nonprofit organization's signature fundraising event, Harmonies for Hope, an intimate evening with Grammy Award-winning artist LeAnn Rimes on July 11, 2026, in Madison, Wisconsin. A graduate with a degree in psychology, Shannon has spent much of her professional life helping others. Early in her career, she moved to the Pacific Northwest, earned an AODA certification, and worked as a school counselor, encouraging those she served with a simple but powerful message: “You got this.” Little did she know that those same words would one day become a lifeline for her own family.After welcoming her first daughter, Lily Catherine, Shannon celebrated the birth of her second daughter, Gracie Margaret. Shortly after birth, however, Shannon began noticing episodes in which Gracie would stare blankly into space. Those concerning moments launched a medical journey filled with uncertainty, countless appointments, and consultations with some of the nation’s leading healthcare specialists.Eventually, Gracie was diagnosed with Mitochondrial Cytochrome C Reductase Deficiency, an extraordinarily rare disease. At the time, she was believed to be one of only five known children in the world with the condition—and the others had not survived past age two. As treatment options dwindled, Shannon was faced with an unimaginable reality. One recommendation was to simply take Gracie home and make her comfortable.Refusing to give up hope, Shannon discovered Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) through a chance connection with a parent support organization. That discovery changed everything. What began as a desperate search for answers ultimately helped transform Gracie’s future.Today, Gracie is celebrating her 27th year of life—far beyond what anyone thought possible. Inspired by that journey, Shannon founded the International Hyperbaric Association, helping families access HBOT, supporting research, and advocating for expanded treatment options for individuals facing neurological and other medical challenges.Her story is a powerful reminder that when hope remains, possibilities remain. You won't want to miss this incredible episode of Survive & Thrive 8791. CAN'T WAIT!!!