Introducing Lisa Gilbert

Hello. I am Lisa Gilbert, mother to Riley Gilbert, SBS Survivor. Riley was violently shaken on March 27, 2007 at the age of 2 by her day care provider and former family friend. Riley was not expected to survive, and spent many months in the hospital, but she is a true miracle! Riley has been left with multiple disabilities as the result of her attack, but fights daily to improve, with her family by her side. Over the past four years, I have learned how to become a strong advocate for my daughter, while managing Riley’s needs and navigating the legal, medical, therapeutic, insurance, and special education worlds. Aside from my most important roles as a wife to my husband of 12 years, Brad, and mother to Riley and her brother Zachary, I have also worked for the past 11 years as a school counselor for high school students. I hold an Associate’s Degree in Social Work, a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a minor in Social Work, and I am a Certified Counselor with a Master’s of Education in School Counseling from The College of Saint Rose in New York. I began forming relationships through networking on Facebook with other SBS parents, and was contacted by Rachel to blog and serve on the SBS Support Network board in 2009. Since being thrust unexpectedly into life as an SBS mom, my desire and mission is to support others affected by Shaken Baby Syndrome, since many often feel so alone in their journey, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to do so through the Support Network!

Introducing Kelly Link

Hello all, I’m Kelly! I was born and raised right here in Southwest FL. My husband Mark and I have been married for 2 years and together we brought 3 boys into our marriage. We have Cody (9), Jacob (6), and Ryan (8) who is my SBS Survivor.

Ryan was shaken by his biological father in June 2003 when he was 9 weeks old. While Ryan is a high functioning survivor, he still has many medical problems that we have to deal with on a daily basis. They include a Traumatic Brain Injury, ADHD, Allergies, Acid Reflux, Growth Deficiency, Poor Appetite, Multiple sleep disorders, Sensory Integration Disorder, Petit Mal seizures, Anxiety, and Hypotonia. As much as I would like to think that some of these difficulties will go away, I am realistic to know that more than likely they will not, and others may develop down the road. Ryan’s strength and determination are what help get me through my days. He has gone through so many obstacles in his short 8 years of life, and he still continues to do so. However, he always comes out on top, and I have complete admiration for him because of that!

My desire to help others, and to be helped by others who are going through the same difficulties as me is what led me to Rachel with the Shaken Baby Support Network. Having someone who completely understands what you are going through is more beneficial than I could ever describe. The friends that I have made through this journey are more like family, than like friends. They are my shoulder lean on when times get tough and I am the listening ear whenever they may need it. SBS has become my life and I am willing to devote all of my time and attention to awareness and education so no one has to go through what we do!