CENTREVILLE, Va., March 12, 2008
One Girl And Her Dog
Paralyzed Young Girl Has Found Inspiration In Her Four-Legged Companion
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Play CBS Video Video Eye To Eye: Shea Megale "Only On The Web": Richard Schlesinger speaks to Shea Megale, a young, wheelchair-bound author going places thanks to the fictional adventures of her dog Mercer.
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Shea and her four-legged inspiration, Mercer. (CBS)
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Photo Essay 2008 Westminster Dog Show Coiffed canines descend on Madison Square Garden to identify America's top dog.
"'Woo hoo,' Mercer yelled, with his ears flapping in the wind " Shea reads from the book.
Shea travels with her mother, who helps her write the books, and a service dog, CBS News correspondent Richard Schlesinger reports.
The fact that she travels at all is remarkable, because she suffers from Spinal Muscular Atrophy - a paralyzing disease.
"I was born with this disease. And, you know, I just grew up with it, grew up accepting it, and I moved on," she explains.
Her first book began as a few entries in her diary, discovered by her mother - sketches of Mercer ice skating by a little girl who never would.
"And so you think that Mercer is really sort of her, in her imagination?" Schlesinger asks.
"Yeah, I do," Megan Megale, Shea's mother, said. "And I think he's an outlet for her, too."
But Mercer is not just an imaginary friend. He's very real.
And Schlesinger met Mercer, the real dog.
He's a four-legged metaphor for a life lived in a little girl's mind. He goes everywhere with her, helping her with everyday chores and inspiring her fantasies.
"Why did you choose Mercer to be the star of your books?" Schlesinger asks.
"Well, I thought he was the star of my life. So I thought why not the book? He's really amazing and he can, he's my best buddy and he deserved it I thought," Shea says.
It's her escape from the reality of her disease, which doctors say will probably kill her by her late teens.
At 12 years old, she's already too weak to move very much.
But she is moving others.
Her book has been picked up by FAO Schwartz and Amazon. And more books are in the planning stage. Mercer will go swimming and sledding and all sorts of other things things that Shea knows she'll never do.
But she says it doesn't make her sad.
"No, it doesn't 'cause, you know ... I'm sure there's stuff you can't do, am I right?" Shea says.
"It gives her a whole new identity of, you know what, instead of this is what it is and I've gotta find a way to live my life to showing people this is how you live life," Megan Megale says.
But Mercer makes all things possible for Shea. He's her muse, her hero, a central character in both her lives real and imaginary.
To visit Mercer's Web site, click here.
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- What a wonderful story about a wonderful young woman. I think many people would benefit from learning more about Canine Companions for Independence and the oppurtunities that service dogs can provide to the disabled community.
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- Great story about Shea and Mercer. She is, indeed, talented and wise beyond her years. Like many others who have commented, I would like to see an in-depth story about Canine Companions for Independence, the nonprofit organization that raised and trained Mercer, with the help of volunteers and staff galore! The "team training" process that matches a disabled person with his/her dog is truly a miracle. I partipated 3 years ago with my Service Dog Indira III. She is absolutely amazing and has made such a difference in my life with MS. Thank you, CBS, and thank you, CCI!
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- I WILL BE ORDERING HER BOOKS FOR MY CHILDREN FOR THIS EASTER....
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- Wow, what a delightful story, I''m emailing this to all my friends. The world needs more of this kind of journalism. I love the part about her attitude, she''s an amazing gal and Mercer is amazing, too.
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- Wonderful, heartwarming story! I''d love to see an entire show dedicated to Shea, Mercer, and the thousands of others who have CCI dogs. And please don''t forget the puppy raisers! I have a friend who raises puppies for CCI. She takes in a wee pup, loves him, nurtures him, does basic training for a year plus ... thend gives him up so another person like Shea can discover the freedom and love of a canine companion. Please help make this a reality for more people by featuring CCI in one of your hour long programs!
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- This young girl is remarkable. Her book should be in every classroom to remind one that life can be good, it is just how you look at it!
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- This story has the potential to help so many more people, please do an in depth story.
Canine Companions for Independence is simply amazing
and you really did not give much info on this wonderful organiztion. Thank you! - Reply to this comment
- This story has the potential to help so many more people, please do an in depth story.
Canine Companions for Independence is simply amazing
and you really did not give much info on this wonderful organiztion. Thank you! - Reply to this comment
- This story has the potential to help so many more people, please do an in depth story.
Canine Companions for Independence is simply amazing
and you really did not give much info on this wonderful organiztion. Thank you! - Reply to this comment
- This story has the potential to help so many more people, please do an in depth story.
Canine Companions for Independence is simply amazing
and you really did not give much info on this wonderful organiztion. Thank you! - Reply to this comment
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