“We Never Stopped Giggling”

By Shannon — Seana’s lifelong best friend

I met Seana through Irish dance, we immediately clicked and never stopped giggling! Whether we were seven or seventeen, most of our conversations included some type of song or dance routine. Our parents always laughed that we slipped back to our seven year old selves whenever we were together. In the twenty years of our friendship, we watched each other grow up and navigate many different social circles, but always knew we had each other for support. 

Seana’s diagnosis with DIPG was just another moment where we knew we’d have to lean on each other because it is not something you can handle alone. Seana never let her diagnosis change her bright, positive outlook on life. In fact, DIPG made her beautiful and bubbly personality radiate more. She used her diagnosis as a time in her life to strengthen her relationships with friends and family, but most importantly her relationship with God. It’s easy to say “Why me?” in that moment of diagnosis; instead, Seana said, “What good can I do with this?” and turned her diagnosis into a story to inspire others. She befriended many DIPG families and prayed for their spiritual and physical healing. She inspired many young people to explore their own faiths while she explored hers. Her journey with DIPG helped spread so much awareness and love to people of all ages. That’s why she originally created the More Than Exceptional Seana brand- to let people into her life and see there is more to Seana than DIPG. 

 I’m honored to have called Seana my best friend and grow up with such an inspirational person. I keep her memories alive by listening to Disney soundtracks, counting down the days until Christmas, hanging with Kenny and Sharon, and continuing to giggle like our seven year old selves. I miss my best friend every day, but know she continues to guide me! The More Than Exceptional Seana Foundation is a tribute to Seana, but also a platform to spread awareness of the severity of DIPG and different ways to support families in the DIPG community.